The following piece was first written for the April 26, 2026 pew sheet at St Augustine’s Anglican Church. I share it here again in the hope that it may continue to encourage and bless.
This Sunday, as we reflect on 'The Gospel of Jesus (Proclaiming the Good News)' from Mark 1:1–15, we also remember Mark the Evangelist – not to elevate him unduly, but to give thanks for how God used him to bear witness to Christ. Mark's Gospel opens with striking clarity: 'The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.' From the outset, Mark directs our attention not to himself, but to Jesus. The word 'gospel' simply means 'good news.' In everyday life, we use that phrase for many joyful moments – a long-awaited job offer, a wedding, or a hard-earned academic success. In the ancient Roman world, 'good news' was even used to announce the birth or reign of the emperor, who was hailed as a kind of saviour. Against that backdrop, Mark's words are both bold and subversive: the true good news is not about Caesar, but about Jesus Christ. And what makes this news so good? It is not merely the announcement of Jesus' birth, but the whole story of his coming – his life, his teaching, his compassion, his death on the cross, and his resurrection victory over sin and death. In Jesus, God has not forgotten his world. God has come near. God has acted decisively to rescue us from sin, death and the power of evil. This good news is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It must be proclaimed. Mark shows us from the very beginning that the gospel is something to be announced, heard, and responded to. Not all will believe – but all must have the opportunity to hear. In the end, the gospel not only tells us who Jesus is; it also tells us who we are. It reminds us why the Church exists – and why each of us exists: to know Christ, and to make him known.
