{"id":1144,"date":"2025-04-23T17:21:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T21:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=1144"},"modified":"2025-04-24T10:10:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T14:10:53","slug":"what-is-the-good-news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=1144","title":{"rendered":"What is the &#8220;Good News&#8221;?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2728 What Is the \u201cGood News\u201d According to Jesus?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cGood News\u201d is often referred to as <strong>The Gospel<\/strong>\u2014and in its simplest form, it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>God\u2019s Kingdom is here, and Jesus is the King who saves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a life-changing message. The Kingdom of God is offered freely to anyone who <strong>repents<\/strong> and <strong>believes<\/strong> in the One who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Forgives sin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heals hearts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delivers from bondage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grants eternal life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udce3 1. The Kingdom of God Is at Hand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus declared:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cThe time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Mark 1:15<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This proclamation fulfilled <strong>Messianic prophecy<\/strong> foretold in Isaiah 61. When Jesus stood up in the synagogue in Nazareth, He read the words of Isaiah and publicly revealed His mission:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cThe Spirit of the Lord is upon me&#8230; to proclaim good news to the poor&#8230;\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Luke 4:16\u201321<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>He closed the scroll and said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cToday this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus identified Himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cThe Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,<\/strong><br>because the Lord has anointed me<br>to proclaim good news to the poor.<br>He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,<br>to proclaim freedom for the captives<br>and release from darkness for the prisoners.\u201d**<br>\u2014 <em>Isaiah 61:1<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f The Mission of the Messiah \u2014 Isaiah 61 Broken Down<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc 1. <em>\u201cTo proclaim good news to the poor\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In Hebrew\/Aramaic, \u201cpoor\u201d refers to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The afflicted, humble, or meek<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The oppressed, vulnerable, and spiritually dependent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Matthew 5:3<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus offers salvation to those who are <strong>spiritually lacking, desperate, or humbled<\/strong>\u2014those who know they need rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2764\ufe0f 2. <em>\u201cTo bind up the brokenhearted\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201cBind up\u201d<\/strong> = to heal, wrap, or care for like a physician<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cBrokenhearted\u201d<\/strong> = those emotionally or spiritually crushed by pain, grief, shame, or trauma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus doesn\u2019t just forgive\u2014He <strong>restores hearts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd13 3. <em>\u201cTo proclaim freedom for the captives\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201cProclaim\u201d<\/strong> = announce with royal authority<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cCaptives\u201d<\/strong> = those enslaved\u2014by sin, fear, addiction, guilt, legalism, or demonic oppression<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cIf the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>John 8:36<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus came to <strong>break spiritual chains<\/strong> and lead people into freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf05 4. <em>\u201cRelease from darkness for the prisoners\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201cDarkness\u201d<\/strong> = spiritual blindness, despair, lies, demonic bondage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cPrisoners\u201d<\/strong> = those trapped in deep hopelessness or sin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cTo open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon,<br>and those who dwell in darkness from the prison.\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Isaiah 42:7<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus brings people <strong>into the light<\/strong>, exposing lies and offering true peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd01 The Heart of the Gospel: Restoration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus came to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Heal<\/strong> the wounded<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Free<\/strong> the enslaved<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rescue<\/strong> the trapped<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Restore<\/strong> the broken<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shine light<\/strong> in the darkest places<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the <strong>heart of the Gospel<\/strong>: it\u2019s not just about forgiveness\u2014<strong>it\u2019s about total restoration<\/strong> for those who choose to <strong>repent<\/strong> and <strong>believe<\/strong> in His message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what did Jesus really mean by <strong>repent<\/strong> and <strong>believe<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd01 &#8220;Repent&#8221; \u2013 Greek: \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u03b5<\/strong><strong>\u1fd6\u03c4\u03b5 (metanoeite)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Root word<\/strong>: <em>metanoe\u014d (\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Meaning<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>From <em>meta-<\/em> (change) + <em>noe\u014d<\/em> (to think, perceive, understand)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Literally: <strong>&#8220;to change one\u2019s mind or way of thinking&#8221;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In biblical context: A <strong>change of mind and heart<\/strong> that leads to a <strong>change in direction<\/strong>\u2014turning away from sin and toward God.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Usage by Jesus<\/strong>: Not just about feeling sorry, but a radical reorientation of life in light of God&#8217;s kingdom.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd0d <strong>So &#8220;repent&#8221; means:<\/strong><br><strong>To change your heart and mind.  <\/strong>This is done internally by thinking and coming to an understanding of the situation, so you can perceive it differently &#8211; through God&#8217;s eyes with His help.  When this happens  your heart will start to change,  you start to trust and sin will start to lose its grip on you.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\ude4f &#8220;Believe&#8221; \u2013 Greek: \u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03cd\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 (pisteuete)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Root word<\/strong>: <em>pisteu\u014d (\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Meaning<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To believe, to have faith, to trust.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It implies <strong>active trust<\/strong> or <strong>personal reliance<\/strong>, not just intellectual agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In context: To <strong>put your trust in Jesus and the good news of the Kingdom.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Used frequently by Jesus<\/strong> when healing, forgiving, and inviting people into relationship with God.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd0d <strong>So &#8220;believe&#8221; means:<\/strong><br><strong>Place your trust, loyalty, and confidence in the message of the Gospel\u2014and in Jesus Himself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83e\udde0 Putting It Together \u2013 Mark 1:15 in plain English:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNow is the time\u2014God\u2019s rule is breaking into the world. <strong>Change your heart and mind<\/strong> (repent), and <strong>put your trust<\/strong> (believe) in this good news!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u271d\ufe0f True Surrender and the Power of Jesus to Transform<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus does not simply ask us to \u201ctry harder\u201d to stop sinning. The truth is, <strong>we cannot overcome sin in our own strength<\/strong>. What He desires is a <strong>genuine, heartfelt repentance<\/strong>\u2014a turning of the heart that leads us to <strong>fully surrender<\/strong>, entrusting our life and decisions into His hands on a daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we do this, Jesus promises to live within us through His Spirit. He works <strong>from the inside out<\/strong>\u2014transforming our thoughts, our motives, and our hearts. As He does, things that once seemed like <strong>immovable mountains<\/strong> begin to shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>&#8220;If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, &#8216;Move from here to there,&#8217; and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.&#8221;<\/em><br>\u2014 <strong>Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn\u2019t metaphorical alone\u2014it\u2019s <strong>spiritual reality<\/strong>. Jesus is teaching that the smallest amount of <strong>true, surrendered faith<\/strong> can invite His power to bring about miraculous change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf3f The Kingdom Within<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>True transformation doesn\u2019t come from external efforts\u2014it flows from the <strong>Kingdom of God planted within us<\/strong> by His Spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>&#8220;The kingdom of God is within you.&#8221;<\/em><br>\u2014 <strong>Luke 17:21 (KJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the mystery and the promise: When we surrender, <strong>God\u2019s rule begins within our hearts<\/strong>\u2014shaping how we think, choose, speak, and love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f Jesus Lives Within Us<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>&#8220;If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.&#8221;<\/em><br>\u2014 <strong>John 14:23 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus is not asking for outward religion\u2014He\u2019s offering <strong>an indwelling relationship<\/strong>, where <strong>He abides in us<\/strong>, changes us, and produces His life through ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2764\ufe0f Why Surrender Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Surrendering your life to something or someone is not easy. It is the <strong>narrow path<\/strong> that Jesus spoke of\u2014one that few find. And that\u2019s why He urges us to <strong>search<\/strong> and <strong>seek<\/strong> Him. Because those who seek will ultimately discover two unshakable truths:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>We are in serious trouble without Him.<\/strong> Our sin nature leads us down a path of destruction, and time only makes this more evident.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>God\u2019s nature is unimaginably good.<\/strong> Words cannot fully express the beauty, mercy, and power of the triune God.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you come to understand these two realities, <strong>it becomes a joy\u2014not a burden\u2014to surrender your life to Him daily<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udeab Understanding Sin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sin is not just breaking rules\u2014it\u2019s <strong>living independently of God<\/strong>, making choices apart from His will. It is trusting in yourself instead of trusting in Him. Sin is deceptive and subtle. It may not seem harmful at first, but over time, it leads to darkness, regret, and ultimately, death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>&#8220;There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.&#8221;<\/em><br>\u2014 <strong>Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why Jesus gave us the greatest commandment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>&#8220;You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.&#8221;<\/em><br>\u2014 <strong>Matthew 22:37 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And He said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>&#8220;If you love Me, keep My commandments.&#8221;<\/em><br>\u2014 <strong>John 14:15 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Because <strong>true love for Jesus results in trust, surrender, and obedience<\/strong>\u2014not out of fear, but out of a heart transformed by His presence within.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2728 What Is the \u201cGood News\u201d According to Jesus? The \u201cGood News\u201d is often referred to as The Gospel\u2014and in its simplest form, it\u2019s this: God\u2019s Kingdom is here, and Jesus is the King who saves. This is a life-changing message. The Kingdom of God is offered freely to anyone who repents and believes in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1144","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"greatestcommandment.org","author_link":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"\u2728 What Is the \u201cGood News\u201d According to Jesus? The \u201cGood News\u201d is often referred to as The Gospel\u2014and in its simplest form, it\u2019s this: God\u2019s Kingdom is here, and Jesus is the King who saves. This is a life-changing message. The Kingdom of God is offered freely to anyone who repents and believes in&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1144","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1144"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1144\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1153,"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1144\/revisions\/1153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}