In His last days on earth after His resurrection, Jesus’ final words included this commandment: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
In this statement, our Lord is revealing the scope of the good news. It’s not for the Jews alone, but everybody. All the world; all creation. No place is off limits. To the uttermost parts of the earth.
He is telling us to continue the work He started. His mission included the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The gospel/good news is found in its immediacy—the kingdom is now, “at hand.” Today is the day of salvation. The King has already come. Kingdom blessings can be retrieved by faith, now.
The gospel good news is also found in His resurrection. Sins are put away, death is overcome, power is given to live a holy life.
In itself, the command is not complicated. “Preach the gospel.” Make the good news known. Not just by open-air evangelism, of course, but in any way we can. Speaking, writing, singing, acting, dancing. By letter, book, voice recording, visual arts, crafts, and music; mechanical, electronic, digital. By evangelist, pastor, church worker, businessperson, housewife, teenager, child. Get it out there.
Don’t water down the basics of the need. All have sinned. No one can save themselves from sin’s judgment and corruption. None of us can make it right by our own efforts. All face the penalty of death for sin. The judgment has already been rendered. This means we can’t work out the debt. The salvation is by faith in Christ, not through good deeds; we cannot earn it.
Don’t water down the Savior and His great work. Christ died on the cross to bear sin’s consequence of death for all men. By His grace, He offers forgiveness of sins to all who come to Him for it. The death, burial, and resurrection demonstrates God’s wisdom and love for us.
Don’t water down the spiritual blessings. We become a new creation in Christ. Our old self before believing in Christ is passed away. All sins are forgiven. We belong to the Savior. We have hope for the life to come. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to give us wisdom and power over sin. We can perceive the spiritual things of God. As we continue in faith in the Bible, we are being changed into the image of Christ.
Don’t confuse the gospel with something else. It’s not about being healthy and wealthy. It’s not about faith being a force to get what you want. You will not necessarily have a happier or easier life.
Don’t make light of the dangers of gospel work. The might of unholy demons will be pitted against you. People will try to shut down the message and the messenger, politely or brutally. Your own flesh will try to corrupt the message and tempt you to compromise.
Don’t make light of its day-by-day transforming power. The Holy Spirit strengthens us to live for Jesus. We are no longer just nice people who go to church, but those who love the Lord supremely and serve Him faithfully. The Spirit directs our lives. We put away sin. We make decisions based on the Word of God. We see God at work in all of life. He alone is sovereign.
You who know its power, either spread the glad tidings of great joy yourself, or support those who do. Do not grow weary in this work; your labor is not in vain. When the object of our faith returns, His reward will be with Him.
