What is the gospel of Jesus?

People are confused – they’re not sure what the gospel is.

For too long the gospel has been reduced to: ‘Jesus died for my sins so that I can go to heaven when I die.’ But the gospel does NOT ensure our escape from the world; it’s the announcement — the ‘good news’ — that the Messiah Jesus has inaugurated a new world and a new humanity right in the middle of this one. The goal is not to escape this world but renew and reunite this world with the heavens. ‘ . . . thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’

Of course the correct answer is ‘the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus’ (see I Corinthians 15:1–4). But how can something that happened over 2000 years ago, have any real effect here in the year 2023? I’m afraid that most of God’s people can only repeat Sunday school answers:

‘Jesus died on the cross for my sins.’
‘He paid a debt he didn’t owe.’
‘His blood washed my sins away.’

Which are all true – but something’s missing, something big and most Christians simply don’t see it.

I think you’ll have to admit that most of the attention goes to the ‘cross side of the story,’ which of course is wonderful in itself. And so I dare not minimize this love that shocked the world: what was God doing on a cross? I dare not minimize it or leave it incomplete, which happens to be our problem — comparatively little attention is paid to the resurrection side of the story, except, that is, when Easter rolls around. Does that strike you as odd? We understand and love to talk about the cross (and well we should), but not so much about the resurrection.

So then what does the resurrection mean?

Yes, the resurrection means that Jesus Christ is our living Savior, the One that we can walk with, talk with. And without his actual presence in our daily lives, we have nothing. But there’s more. In short, the resurrection is about the re-creation, the remaking of Man and the remaking of the world. On the cross, Jesus, as the Representative Man, became the place of mercy, shedding his blood. But in the resurrection, Jesus rose again as the New Man – Adam 2.0.

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. — I Corinthians 15:20–23

This is the gospel of Jesus. He rose as the triumphant Man who overcame sin and death and the grave, and who now plants his triumphant and heavenly realm right in the middle of our sinful earth. We can now announce this good news — our God has reclaimed the earth and now invites everyone everywhere to recognize him as the rightful king who has conquered all the other ruling powers who have kept us all in bondage so long. We no longer need to cower before their idols.

But why should this matter? Isn’t this quibbling over cross versus resurrection just a matter of semantics? Shouldn’t we just focus on the cross? Shouldn’t it be good enough to believe and preach the cross? In other words, what is the bodily resurrection of Christ really good for?

This is what Christians are confused about.

Believing and preaching the resurrection is necessary because:

1 we need a resurrected God-man who will judge the world and vindicate his people and right every wrong.

2 we need an answer for our brothers and sisters who suffer in the world under the oppression of Satan and evil men. The resurrection and the ultimate triumph of God over death is the only victory that equips the church to overcome evil with good. We can now face our enemies with love and truth.

3 we’re not satisfied with the nations and kingdoms of demon-oppressed and possessed men who desire to rule over us forever.

The truth is we do need this resurrected Jesus Christ. Without him our preaching is insufficient — it will not inspire a sufficient hope.

We who yield to him, simply and courageously following him and doing the things he commanded — like speaking the truth, loving our enemies, healing, forgiving, blessing in his Name, announcing his lordship over all things — must join with others who believe in him. We’re called to join his ‘called-out’ ones, the church. And it’s the church — all of us together — that shows to the world what life is really all about. When we love one another we demonstrate the present, hope-filled reality of his eternal realm.

This is the gospel and it’s truly good news.