what is the gospel?

“In the Gospels… ‘the gospel’ is the good news of the presence and availability of life in the kingdom, now and forever, through reliance on Jesus the Anointed.”  - Dallas Willard in the Divine Conspiracy.

I absolutely LOVE this description that Willard gives for “the gospel” as the presence and availability of God’s kingdom, here and now, on earth, in our presence condition and in our present life.  I think it is the most accurate description I have heard for defining the gospel because it meets the fundamental need we as humans so deeply and intrinsically crave for love, for connection, and for relationship.  And the description gives us a person to rely on in order to step into and grasp the reality of that good news.  What a loving God that his Kingdom is available to us - the same one that has always existed in the form of Trinitarian relationship, was available to Jesus on earth, was embodied by Jesus, and is now provided for us out of the Trinity’s abundant love!  The idea of all that comforts my soul and my longings in the deepest way possible.  This definition is so hopeful and life-giving and brings a new meaning to the words “repent and believe the good news!”  Where the word “repent” simply means “turn around.”  It is like God is saying, “I am right here, as close the air around you, just turn around.  Turn around, see me, believe in me, no strings attached, and all this great love I possess will be showered upon you because it is for you!”

I also find it curious but important to note that Willard explains how the gospel is available, but not forced.  The individual human heart is a place where God’s will is currently permitted to be absent.  God’s kingdom pervades and governs the whole physical universe surrounding us and yet the parts of our planet earth that are occupied by humans, deep within our human hearts, can be slightly excepted from this governance for a while if we choose not to embrace, or do not understand, what is being offered to us to actually embrace.  I am just reminded each time I read Willard’s description how much every person needs to hear the simple but powerful message that God is available to them - now, abundantly, lovingly, and powerfully.  Understanding this as the good news of the gospel is what lets us turn around and base our lives on the “remarkable new opportunity” Willard teaches us about.  What joy!

Caravaggio's "Calling of Saint Matthew"