What Makes the Glad Tidings Glad?

The apostle Paul wrote, "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15).

Paul, in reference to Isaiah 52:7, referred to the gospel of Christ as glad tidings, or good news, of good things. From heaven’s perspective, there is nothing more beautiful than the one who bears the message of God’s merciful offer of salvation to all those who will hear, believe, and obey. It is the gospel of Christ, and only the gospel of Christ, that can save man from his sin. Earlier in his letter to the Christians at Rome Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation unto everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). But what is it exactly that makes the good news good?

First, the good news is good because Jesus is the Son of God. When Jesus was alive on this earth, he was deity living in a fleshly body. To the church at Colosse, the apostle Paul wrote, "For in him (that is, in Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:19).

When Jesus was baptized, God declared that Jesus was His Son. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:16-17).

Because Jesus is the Son of God, we are to give heed to his words rather than the words of men. At the mount of transfiguration, Peter proposed that three tabernacles be built, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elias. But God spoke from a cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matthew 17:3).

We are to heed the words of Christ because it is Christ who has been given all authority. Jesus said, "All power (meaning authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). We are not to do anything in matters of religion unless we have been given authority to do so. Unfortunately, there are many today who choose to offer their worship to God in a manner for which no authority has been given. For example, some will employ the use of mechanical instruments of music (such as pianos, organs, guitars, or drums) in their worship despite the fact that they have no authority to do so. Such worship is vain and displeasing to God (Matthew 15:9).

Second, the good news is good because Jesus is the Son of man (Matthew 8:20; 16:13). The fact that Jesus is the Son of man reminds us of God’s compassion. Notice the words of John – "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

The fact that Jesus is the Son of man reminds us of Jesus’ compassion. Matthew 9:35-36 tells us that "Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

Christ demonstrated his compassion toward sinful man even at the time of his death. Prior to Jesus’ death, he was beaten, ridiculed, mocked, and spat upon. And yet, remember Christ’s words as he hung on the cross, bleeding from his scourging and the nails driven through his feet and his wrists. Even then, it was not himself he was thinking of, but rather it was sinful mankind. Remember Jesus’ words as he hung on the cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34).

Christ now serves as our compassionate high priest. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

Third, the good news is good because Jesus lived among men. By doing so, Jesus provided us with an example of how we must live if we are to be pleasing God. Christ was in all points tempted like as we are, yet he did not sin. Jesus was able to overcome temptation because of his familiarity with the scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11). In order for us to overcome temptation, we too must be familiar with the scriptures. The psalmist wrote, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11).

To the church at Philippi Paul wrote, "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you" (Philippians 4:9). Notice what a bold statement Paul makes. We often, perhaps only half jokingly, tell others, "Do as I say, not as I do." But Paul said we are to do, not just what he said, but what he did. Was Paul boasting? Was Paul being arrogant? Was Paul setting himself up to be our ultimate role model?

Of course, the obvious answer is no! To the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul wrote, "Be ye followers (or imitators) of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1). Paul encouraged his readers to follow him only to the extent, only so far as, he followed Christ.

Christ set the example for us in giving. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25).

Christ set the example for us in humility. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8).

Christ set the example for us in forgiving others. Again consider Christ’s words concerning those who were guilty of putting him on the cross, "Father, forgive them they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

Christ set the example for us in enduring suffering. Concerning Christ’s suffering on the cross Peter wrote, "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (I Peter 2:23).

Christ set the example for us in his concern for the lost. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

Christ set the example for us in overcoming temptation. Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are tempted, yet he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Christ set the example for us in self-denial. A certain scribe came to Jesus and said, Master, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matthew 8:18-20).

Christ set the example for us in prayer. Consider Christ’s prayer while in Gethsemane. "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:36-46).

Fourth, the good news is good because Jesus died. Wait a minute! How can that be? How can it be good news that Jesus died? Consider the fact that Christ’s death was a manifestation of God’s love for man. Again consider the words of John 3:16 – "For God so loved the worlds that he gave his only begotten Son." What was it that motivated God to send his Son to die in our behalf? It wasn’t that we were deserving of salvation. But rather, it was God’s love for man, it was God’s compassion for man, that motivated him to send his Son to die for us.

Jesus’ death was good news because it was a manifestation of Christ’s love for man. To the church at Galatia, Paul wrote, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

Jesus’ death was good news because it made forgiveness of sins possible. Those persons living under the law of Moses were required to offer sacrifices for their sins. But, rather than actual forgiveness of sins, in those sacrifices there was a remembrance again made of sins every year (Hebrews 10:3). "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take way sins (Hebrews 10:4).

Consider the many ways man attempts to deal with his sin. Some hope that if enough time passes, their sin will become insignificant. Some believe if they ignore their sin by simply refusing to think about it they will eventually be forgiven.

But what a foolish attitude this is! We sometimes sing a song, "What Can Wash Away My Sins? Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus." And how true that is! Christians are those who have had their sins washed away by the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5). When does this washing take place? Only when we are baptized, not before. Do you remember the account of Paul’s conversion, recorded for us in Acts chapter 22? When the Lord appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul was instructed to go to Ananias where he would be told what he must do. Consider Ananias’ words to Paul. "And now, why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

Christ’s death is good news because it serves to remind us of the need for obedience. God’s grace is available to all men. But the only men who will receive God’s grace are those who obey God. Consider the words of the writer of the book of Hebrews – "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:9).

Many people verbally profess to love Jesus while their lives demonstrate otherwise. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

Many people express a desire to be a friend of Jesus, yet fail to comply with the simple conditions Jesus has set forth for being his friend. Jesus said, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14).

Fifth, the good news is good because Jesus was resurrected from the grave. Notice Paul’s words in writing to the church at Corinth. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time" (I Corinthians 15:1-8).

Christ’s resurrection was a manifestation of God’s power. Consider Paul’s words to the church at Corinth - "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power" (I Corinthians 6:14). Just as Christ was raised, those persons who die prior to Christ’s coming again will also one day be raised by the power of God. "Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you" (II Corinthians 4:14). All that are in the graves, they that have done good and they that have done evil, will hear his voice (John 5:28-29).

At that time, all will be judged (Jude 15). Some will go away into everlasting punishment, while others will have life eternal (Matthew 25:41-46).

Friends, what makes the glad tidings glad? Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Son of man. Jesus lived among men. Jesus died. Jesus was resurrected from the grave. His victory over death makes our victory over death possible.

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