Words of Grace
By Rev. Mahlon Nevel
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God“ (Mark 1:1).
The New Testament begins with the gospel, and the beginning of the gospel is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Though the word “gospel” is not found in the Old Testament, the concept is surely there. Isaiah the prophet described the Son of God, annointed by the Spirit of God, (61:1)
Good tidings is good news and that is what the gospel is, good news, Jesus came from Nazareth preaching the gospel. (Mark 1: 14) “Repent,” he said, “and believe the gospel.” (V.15)
Isaiah also wrote about the beautiful feet of the one who brings good tidings, the good news of the gospel. In so doing, he is publishing the message of peace and salvation to the nation of Israel (Isaiah 52:7)
This is what Jesus was referring to when he said that the good news of the gospel must first be published in all the nations of the world. (Mark 13:10) That must happen, “and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).
The Gospel of Mark begins with and ends with the gospel. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he told them to take the gospel to every creature in the world. (Mark 16:15)
A.C. Dixon calls this “The Whole Christ in the Whole Bible for the Whole World.” He preached that the supreme need of every individual and every society is the Gospel.
