{"id":45195,"date":"2020-12-01T14:49:25","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T11:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=45195"},"modified":"2025-05-09T18:29:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T15:29:47","slug":"the-beginning-of-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/12\/01\/the-beginning-of-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Greetings <\/span>to <\/span>you <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>name <\/span>of <\/span>our <\/span>Lord <\/span>and <\/span>Savior <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Christ. <\/span>Welcome <\/span>to <\/span>this <\/span>time <\/span>of <\/span>learning <\/span>and <\/span>reflection <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>words <\/span>of <\/span>life\u2014<\/span>eternal <\/span>truths <\/span>that <\/span>have <\/span>stood <\/span>the <\/span>test <\/span>of <\/span>time <\/span>and <\/span>will <\/span>endure <\/span>forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, <\/span>we <\/span>focus <\/span>on <\/span>a <\/span>powerful <\/span>truth <\/span>found <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>opening <\/span>verses <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Gospel <\/span>of <\/span>Mark. <\/span>It <\/span>begins <\/span>this <\/span>way:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mark <\/span>1:<\/span>1-<\/span>2 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong>
\u201c<\/span>The <\/span>beginning <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>gospel <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Christ, <\/span>the <\/span>Son <\/span>of <\/span>God.<\/span>
As <\/span>it <\/span>is <\/span>written <\/span>in <\/span>Isaiah <\/span>the <\/span>prophet,<\/span>
\u2018<\/span>Behold, <\/span>I <\/span>send <\/span>my <\/span>messenger <\/span>before <\/span>your <\/span>face,<\/span>
who <\/span>will <\/span>prepare <\/span>your <\/span>way.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Unlike <\/span>the <\/span>Gospel <\/span>of <\/span>John, <\/span>which <\/span>opens <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>profound <\/span>theological <\/span>declaration\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

John <\/span>1:<\/span>1 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong>
\u201c<\/span>In <\/span>the <\/span>beginning <\/span>was <\/span>the <\/span>Word, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>Word <\/span>was <\/span>with <\/span>God, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>Word <\/span>was <\/span>God\u201d\u2014<\/span>
the <\/span>Gospel <\/span>of <\/span>Mark <\/span>starts <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>proclamation: <\/span>\u201c<\/span>The <\/span>beginning <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>gospel <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Christ, <\/span>the <\/span>Son <\/span>of <\/span>God.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

These <\/span>introductions <\/span>are <\/span>not <\/span>random; <\/span>they <\/span>reveal <\/span>the <\/span>central <\/span>themes <\/span>and <\/span>purpose <\/span>of <\/span>each <\/span>gospel. <\/span>John’s <\/span>Gospel <\/span>emphasizes <\/span>the <\/span>divinity <\/span>of <\/span>Christ, <\/span>portraying <\/span>Him <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>eternal <\/span>Word <\/span>and <\/span>Light <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>world. <\/span>It <\/span>draws <\/span>the <\/span>reader <\/span>into <\/span>the <\/span>mystery <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>incarnation\u2014<\/span>God <\/span>becoming <\/span>flesh <\/span>to <\/span>dwell <\/span>among <\/span>us. <\/span>When <\/span>read <\/span>prayerfully <\/span>under <\/span>the <\/span>guidance <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit, <\/span>John’s <\/span>Gospel <\/span>draws <\/span>the <\/span>heart <\/span>toward <\/span>deep <\/span>love <\/span>and <\/span>faith <\/span>in <\/span>Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>contrast, <\/span>Mark\u2019s <\/span>Gospel <\/span>is <\/span>action-<\/span>oriented. <\/span>It <\/span>presents <\/span>Jesus <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>suffering <\/span>Servant <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>Messiah <\/span>who <\/span>came <\/span>to <\/span>proclaim <\/span>the <\/span>gospel <\/span>of <\/span>God <\/span>with <\/span>urgency. <\/span>Mark <\/span>emphasizes <\/span>the <\/span>message<\/span><\/em> Jesus <\/span>preached, <\/span>beginning <\/span>immediately <\/span>with <\/span>His <\/span>public <\/span>ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just <\/span>a <\/span>few <\/span>verses <\/span>later, <\/span>we <\/span>read <\/span>what <\/span>Jesus <\/span>proclaimed <\/span>when <\/span>He <\/span>began <\/span>preaching:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mark <\/span>1:<\/span>14-<\/span>15 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong>
\u201c<\/span>Now <\/span>after <\/span>John <\/span>was <\/span>arrested, <\/span>Jesus <\/span>came <\/span>into <\/span>Galilee, <\/span>proclaiming <\/span>the <\/span>gospel <\/span>of <\/span>God, <\/span>and <\/span>saying,<\/span>
\u2018<\/span>The <\/span>time <\/span>is <\/span>fulfilled, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>kingdom <\/span>of <\/span>God <\/span>is <\/span>at <\/span>hand; <\/span>repent <\/span>and <\/span>believe <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>gospel.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This <\/span>statement <\/span>captures <\/span>the <\/span>heart <\/span>of <\/span>Christ\u2019s <\/span>gospel <\/span>in <\/span>four <\/span>key <\/span>elements:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

1. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>The <\/span>Time <\/span>is <\/span>Fulfilled\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

This <\/span>marks <\/span>the <\/span>long-<\/span>awaited <\/span>arrival <\/span>of <\/span>God\u2019s <\/span>redemptive <\/span>plan <\/span>for <\/span>humanity. <\/span>The <\/span>prophecies <\/span>and <\/span>promises <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Old <\/span>Testament <\/span>were <\/span>coming <\/span>to <\/span>fruition. <\/span>The <\/span>age <\/span>of <\/span>salvation <\/span>had <\/span>dawned\u2014<\/span>not <\/span>just <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>Jews, <\/span>but <\/span>for <\/span>all <\/span>nations. <\/span>The <\/span>gospel <\/span>was <\/span>now <\/span>available <\/span>freely <\/span>to <\/span>everyone\u2014<\/span>Jews <\/span>and <\/span>Gentiles <\/span>alike, <\/span>regardless <\/span>of <\/span>race <\/span>or <\/span>background.<\/span><\/p>\n

We, <\/span>too, <\/span>must <\/span>proclaim <\/span>that <\/span>now <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>time <\/span>of <\/span>God\u2019s <\/span>favor<\/span><\/em>. <\/span>The <\/span>door <\/span>of <\/span>grace <\/span>is <\/span>open. <\/span>Let <\/span>no <\/span>one <\/span>miss <\/span>it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

2 <\/span>Corinthians <\/span>6:<\/span>2 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong>
\u201c<\/span>Behold, <\/span>now <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>favorable <\/span>time; <\/span>behold, <\/span>now <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>day <\/span>of <\/span>salvation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

2. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>The <\/span>Kingdom <\/span>of <\/span>God <\/span>is <\/span>at <\/span>Hand\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>reign <\/span>of <\/span>God <\/span>had <\/span>drawn <\/span>near <\/span>through <\/span>the <\/span>person <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Christ. <\/span>This <\/span>was <\/span>not <\/span>just <\/span>a <\/span>political <\/span>or <\/span>earthly <\/span>rule, <\/span>but <\/span>a <\/span>spiritual <\/span>kingdom <\/span>that <\/span>would <\/span>transform <\/span>hearts <\/span>and <\/span>destinies. <\/span>The <\/span>signs <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>end <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>establishment <\/span>of <\/span>God\u2019s <\/span>eternal <\/span>reign <\/span>are <\/span>evident. <\/span>Therefore, <\/span>we <\/span>are <\/span>called <\/span>to <\/span>shift <\/span>our <\/span>focus <\/span>from <\/span>earthly <\/span>matters <\/span>to <\/span>heavenly <\/span>priorities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Colossians <\/span>3:<\/span>1-<\/span>2 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong>
\u201c<\/span>Seek <\/span>the <\/span>things <\/span>that <\/span>are <\/span>above, <\/span>where <\/span>Christ <\/span>is\u2026 <\/span>Set <\/span>your <\/span>minds <\/span>on <\/span>things <\/span>that <\/span>are <\/span>above, <\/span>not <\/span>on <\/span>things <\/span>that <\/span>are <\/span>on <\/span>earth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

3. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Repent\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Repentance <\/span>is <\/span>not <\/span>merely <\/span>feeling <\/span>sorry <\/span>for <\/span>sin\u2014<\/span>it <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>decisive <\/span>turning <\/span>away <\/span>from <\/span>sin <\/span>and <\/span>turning <\/span>to <\/span>God. <\/span>It <\/span>involves <\/span>surrender, <\/span>cleansing, <\/span>and <\/span>renewal. <\/span>If <\/span>the <\/span>time <\/span>is <\/span>fulfilled <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>kingdom <\/span>is <\/span>near, <\/span>the <\/span>only <\/span>right <\/span>response <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>examine <\/span>our <\/span>lives, <\/span>renounce <\/span>sin, <\/span>and <\/span>return <\/span>to <\/span>our <\/span>Creator.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Acts <\/span>17:<\/span>30 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong>
\u201c<\/span>The <\/span>times <\/span>of <\/span>ignorance <\/span>God <\/span>overlooked, <\/span>but <\/span>now <\/span>he <\/span>commands <\/span>all <\/span>people <\/span>everywhere <\/span>to <\/span>repent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

4. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Believe <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>Gospel\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Faith <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>hand <\/span>that <\/span>receives <\/span>God\u2019s <\/span>grace. <\/span>To <\/span>believe <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>gospel <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>fully <\/span>embrace <\/span>the <\/span>good <\/span>news <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus\u2019 <\/span>death <\/span>and <\/span>resurrection, <\/span>and <\/span>to <\/span>live <\/span>by <\/span>His <\/span>teachings <\/span>in <\/span>holiness <\/span>and <\/span>obedience. <\/span>It\u2019s <\/span>not <\/span>mere <\/span>belief <\/span>in <\/span>facts\u2014<\/span>it <\/span>is <\/span>trusting <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>Person <\/span>and <\/span>work <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Christ <\/span>for <\/span>salvation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Romans <\/span>1:<\/span>16 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong>
\u201c<\/span>For <\/span>I <\/span>am <\/span>not <\/span>ashamed <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>gospel, <\/span>for <\/span>it <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>power <\/span>of <\/span>God <\/span>for <\/span>salvation <\/span>to <\/span>everyone <\/span>who <\/span>believes\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

These <\/span>four <\/span>components\u2014<\/span>fulfilled <\/span>time, <\/span>nearness <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>kingdom, <\/span>repentance, <\/span>and <\/span>faith<\/span><\/em>\u2014<\/span>form <\/span>the <\/span>core <\/span>of <\/span>Christ\u2019s <\/span>gospel. <\/span>Any <\/span>true <\/span>gospel <\/span>message <\/span>must <\/span>carry <\/span>these <\/span>truths. <\/span>This <\/span>is <\/span>how <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Himself <\/span>preached, <\/span>and <\/span>through <\/span>this, <\/span>the <\/span>Father <\/span>confirmed <\/span>that <\/span>He <\/span>was <\/span>indeed <\/span>His <\/span>beloved <\/span>Son.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, <\/span>we <\/span>too <\/span>must <\/span>walk <\/span>in <\/span>these <\/span>footsteps. <\/span>But <\/span>we <\/span>must <\/span>also <\/span>ask <\/span>ourselves <\/span>a <\/span>sobering <\/span>question: <\/span>Are <\/span>you <\/span>truly <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>faith?<\/span><\/strong>
Examine <\/span>your <\/span>heart. <\/span>Look <\/span>honestly <\/span>at <\/span>your <\/span>spiritual <\/span>condition. <\/span>The <\/span>time <\/span>of <\/span>salvation <\/span>is <\/span>now\u2014<\/span>not <\/span>tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

If <\/span>you <\/span>are <\/span>treating <\/span>this <\/span>grace <\/span>lightly, <\/span>remember: <\/span>grace <\/span>is <\/span>not <\/span>everlasting <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>unrepentant. <\/span>Like <\/span>a <\/span>limited-<\/span>time <\/span>offer, <\/span>it <\/span>is <\/span>extended <\/span>freely <\/span>but <\/span>not <\/span>indefinitely. <\/span>There <\/span>will <\/span>come <\/span>a <\/span>day <\/span>when <\/span>this <\/span>door <\/span>will <\/span>close. <\/span>That\u2019s <\/span>why <\/span>it’s <\/span>called <\/span>grace<\/span><\/em>\u2014<\/span>because <\/span>it’s <\/span>undeserved <\/span>and <\/span>temporary <\/span>in <\/span>availability.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Romans <\/span>11:<\/span>17-<\/span>21 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong>
\u201c<\/span>But <\/span>if <\/span>some <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>branches <\/span>were <\/span>broken <\/span>off, <\/span>and <\/span>you, <\/span>although <\/span>a <\/span>wild <\/span>olive <\/span>shoot, <\/span>were <\/span>grafted <\/span>in\u2026<\/span>
do <\/span>not <\/span>be <\/span>arrogant <\/span>toward <\/span>the <\/span>branches\u2026 <\/span>They <\/span>were <\/span>broken <\/span>off <\/span>because <\/span>of <\/span>their <\/span>unbelief, <\/span>but <\/span>you <\/span>stand <\/span>fast <\/span>through <\/span>faith. <\/span>So <\/span>do <\/span>not <\/span>become <\/span>proud, <\/span>but <\/span>fear.<\/span>
For <\/span>if <\/span>God <\/span>did <\/span>not <\/span>spare <\/span>the <\/span>natural <\/span>branches, <\/span>neither <\/span>will <\/span>he <\/span>spare <\/span>you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Therefore, <\/span>repent. <\/span>If <\/span>you <\/span>have <\/span>not <\/span>yet <\/span>received <\/span>baptism <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>right <\/span>manner, <\/span>seek <\/span>it <\/span>in <\/span>obedience. <\/span>God <\/span>will <\/span>give <\/span>you <\/span>His <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit <\/span>to <\/span>guide <\/span>you.<\/span><\/p>\n

May <\/span>the <\/span>Lord <\/span>bless <\/span>you <\/span>and <\/span>draw <\/span>you <\/span>ever <\/span>closer <\/span>to <\/span>Himself.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n