What is the Gospel to You?

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By the end of John 1, a critical question presents itself - what is the Gospel to you? How do you view it? We are shown several different responses and reactions to the Good News about Jesus. The question we need to be asking ourselves is, “What is the Gospel to me?”

Is it a Curiosity, but Nothing More?

To the religious leaders, the good news that John was proclaiming about Jesus and His kingdom was just a matter of curiosity. Some were not even interested enough to go themselves – they sent a group to find out (John 1:19). What about us - are we content to take someone else’s word at face value when it comes to something as important as the Gospel?

They asked detailed questions about John and what he was teaching based upon their knowledge of Scripture (John 1:20-25). As we notice from the questions – their knowledge of the Scriptures was flawed. Many today, because they do not study the Word of God with an open mind to the truth, have a flawed understanding of Scripture.

Their attitude toward the Good News never moved beyond curiosity. Throughout the book of John, the religious leaders view Jesus as someone interesting, but very few follow Him.

So what about us? Do we accept what someone else says, or do we look to God’s Word for the answer? (John 1:35-39). Do we spend time reading our Bibles and building our knowledge of the Scriptures? Do we listen closely to sermons, take notes, and engage in discussion in Bible classes? Do we ask questions based upon what we have heard? Do we have an open mind to the truth? Does our pursuit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him ever move past the “curiosity stage?”

Is it a Message Worth Following and Telling Others?

The first example of an individual who believed the Good News of Jesus was worth following and telling others is John (John 1:29-35). John came to prepare the way for Christ and once he knew who the Christ was, he pointed people to Jesus! Once he had the evidence to support the fact that Jesus was the Christ, John believed it and pointed people to the Lord.

The disciples are our second example. They followed Christ after hearing what John said and hearing the invitation of Jesus. They sat and talked with Jesus, confirming what they had been told. Not only did they follow Jesus, but they went and found others to bring to Him.

How do we know which one describes us?

Very simply, do we make the application in our lives? Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 21:28-32: 

But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

Personal Application: I will dedicate myself to not only being interested in the Word of God, but also in doing the will of the Father.

If we come to hear the Word of God taught and even if we agree with it, but we don’t obey what we hear – then the Gospel is just a curiosity to us. To be the Lord’s disciple, we must not only be interested in what God’s Word says, but also in obeying what it says.