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What does the word “gospel” mean? It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term “god-spell, meaning “good story”.   We know there are 4 “gospels” in the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  So why are they called gospels?  Gospel is actually translated as GOOD NEWS.  They all had great news to tell!  They were excited to tell everyone about what was happening to them.  They speak of the life of God’s Son who became a man and who lived amongst us.  So what Good News were they telling?

That they could see things happening, God changing things, God breaking through, God bringing a rescue plan, God healing, God forgiving.  God mending a broken world.  God redeeming us back to Himself through Jesus.

That GOOD NEWS is still as relevant today as when they wrote their gospels.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds announcing Jesus’s arrival he said  “I bring GOOD NEWS to all, which will bring great joy to all people.  Today is born a Saviour who is Christ the Lord”.    (Luke 2 v 10 and 11).  So what would Jesus do to bring God’s good news to us?  A plan of rescue that by His death, resurrection and ascension He destroyed all the bad news and proclaimed “Whoever believes in Me has eternal life” (John 3 v 36).

Don’t we all just love getting good news?  A new job, a new baby born, someone getting married.  It makes us feel happy and joyful.

I personally found this good news 45 years ago and it changed my life.    It’s a new beginning available to all who call on His name. It says in Mark 12 v 37 “That the common people heard Him gladly”.    It was to them – great news! The same still stands for us today, the “news” on TV and in the newspapers is mostly bad news.

BUT God is in the business of giving us the best good news there is…….and that really is news!