So it is with the idea of the `good news.` The proclamation of the gospel was the news that God reigns. The expectation was that it would really come when the Romans would be overthrown, the temples would be rebuilt, and the oppressors would be defeated. It would come with an act of military strength and power. That was the good news they were waiting for. Gospel was initially a loaded word.
It was also a loaded word in the Roman world. Tom Wright has written about this:
The following is actually an inscription found on a building in the year 9 BC. It's about Caesar Augustus. Listen to the language they used in the Roman world to describe Caesar:
That's kind of scary language for a human being, isn't it? In the Roman world, good news is synonymous with ?Caesar is lord.? They used that language. Now Jesus comes and says, `I have good news.` But this is going to be different than what most people in Israel thought it would be and different than what most people in the Roman Empire thought it was going to be.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. `The time has come, ` he said. `The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!` ''Mark 1:14-15''
Good news translates gospel.
By: John Ortberg
Category: The Calling of the First Disciples
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