- Lesson Twelve in the Connect360 unit “Proclaim the Good News” focuses on Mark 1:1-4; Luke 4:42-44; Acts 5:42; 11:19-21
The “good news,” often referred to as the gospel, is the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The foundational textsof Mark, Luke and Acts highlight the centrality of this proclamation in the early church and the ministry of Jesus.
In Mark 1:1–4, the gospel introduced as the “beginning of the good news of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,” fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament.
John the Baptist’s role in preparing the way for Jesus is also emphasized, as John called people to repentance in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Similarly, in Luke 4:42–44, Jesus himself proclaimed the good news as he traveled from town to town, teaching andhealing.
Jesus’ mission was clear. He came to preach the kingdom of God, and he emphasized that his proclamation wasessential to the work of God.
In Acts 5:42, we see that the early church continued his mission: “Day after day, in the temple and from house to house,they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
This passage illustrates the ongoing commitment of the early followers of Jesus to proclaim the good news, despite opposition and persecution.
The essence of the good news, as detailed in the New Testament, is summarized in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Matthew 4:23–25 and 9:35–38 recount how Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in the regional synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing the sick of various diseases.
These acts were not only physical but also spiritual demonstrations of the good news that Jesus proclaimed: the kingdom of God had come near, and through Jesus, humanity could experience healing—both physically and spiritually.
Isaiah 53:4–6 speaks prophetically of the suffering servant who would bear the sins of the world, providing a framework for understanding why the good news is indeed “good.” Jesus’ life and sacrifice fulfilled in prophecy,showing that the suffering servant came to take away the sins of the people and reconcile them to God.
The core of the good news is Jesus came to restore humanity’s broken relationship with God, offering forgiveness and eternal life through his death and resurrection.
The good news is the message of hope and redemption. It declares that through Jesus, people can be forgiven, freed from the bondage of sin and given new life.
This message is not just for a select group but is meant to be shared with everyone, regardless of their past, their social status, or their position in society.
Jesus’ invitation to the kingdom is all-encompassing, offering a restored relationship with the Creator to all who believe in him.
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