Gospel

Mercy rather than Sacrifice

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Forgiveness links the call of the tax collector to the healing of the paralytic – Christ’s authority to discharge sins and restore men – Mark 2:13-17.

When Jesus pronounced the paralytic’s sins “forgiven,” he offended the Scribes and Pharisees. He alienated them further by showing mercy to “sinners” considered especially unacceptable by more scrupulously religious Jews. Seeing Jesus eating with “tax collectors” and “sinners,” the Scribes and Pharisees insinuated that the Nazarene also was a notorious sinner – (Mark 2:1-17).

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The Victorius Shepherd

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The kings and nations of the Earth are found in New Jerusalem because of the Lamb’s redemptive work.

The Apostle Paul describes the proclamation of “Christ crucified” as “God’s wisdom and power.” The proposition that God overthrew Sin, Satan, and Death through the execution of a lowly man from the small village of Nazareth is “foolishness” to men and contrary to this world’s “wisdom” and ideologies. Even the spiritual “powers and principalities” did not understand what God was doing and sealed their fate by crucifying the “Lord of Glory.”

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The Age of Salvation

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The Good News announced by Jesus offers salvation to men and women of every nation, ethnic group, and people.

Jesus declared before his ascension to Heaven, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.” He then sent his disciples to announce the Good News of this salvation to the world. Following his Death and Resurrection, the Age of Salvation began in earnest.

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Seed of Abraham

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Jesus is the Seed of Abraham, the heir of the covenant promises, and receipt of the inheritance is based on faith in Him.

As the Gospel of Matthew declares, Jesus is the “son of Abraham.” The lowly man from Nazareth is the Messiah and King of Israel, the promised “Seed” of the Patriarch. He brings the covenant promises to fulfillment. He is the covenant heir, and our receipt of the inheritance is based on his faithful “obedience unto death” and our faith in him. Neither ethnicity nor nationality has anything to do with it.

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The Hope of the Nations

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The Good News of Jesus Christ and his victory over death offers hope, life, and salvation to men and women of every nation. The covenant promises were never limited to the nation of Israel or the small territory of Canaan.

Jesus declared that “all authority in Heaven and on Earth is given to me, therefore, Go! Make disciples of all nations!” He sent his disciples to announce his Lordship and Salvation to the “ends of the Earth” – To every nation and people. The Promise of the Abrahamic Covenant to bless all nations through the Patriarch’s “seed” is coming to fruition through the Nazarene.

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