GFA World Answers: What Was the Good News that Jesus Preached?
The question, “What was the good news that Jesus preached?” is fundamental to Christianity. Originally, “good news” was tied to military victories, but in the New Testament, it points to the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to share God’s incredible love and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him. As John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV). This good news invites everyone to experience God’s love and salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus.[1]
So, what is the good news of the kingdom that Jesus meant? He wasn’t promising an earthly rule but offering a way for people to be reconciled with God—to know His love, receive forgiveness, and embrace the hope of eternal life. John 1:12–13 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” That is extremely good news. God loves you and the whole world, so He sent Jesus to offer redemption, healing, and hope to all who believe in Him (John 3:16).
To put it simply, what was the good news that Jesus preached? It’s that God loves us and sent Jesus to die for the sins of the world, opening the pathway for people to know Him and respond to His call of love and peace. Paul wrote, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:13–15). Sharing the Good News of Jesus is sharing the love of Christ with a world that needs love and hope, and as Romans says, the way to share this Good News is to send people with that message.
GFA World does this by equipping and sending national missionaries, who share the love of God with entire communities in Africa and Asia. These missionaries have a passion for helping the people in their nations understand Christ’s love, and become the hands and feet of Christ: through prayer and ministering to the sick; by providing income-generating gifts to families in poverty; by cleaning up dirty villages; and by helping parents value their children’s education and future development. By meeting these physical needs, they show people God’s love and care, just as they have experienced it themselves.[2]
Just one of the people who has been impacted by the life-changing love of God is Wenda. Her father passed away from lung cancer when she was seven years old. Then, Wenda’s mother remarried and moved to another city, leaving Wenda and her four siblings with their uncle, who was a gambler and an alcoholic. In her uncle’s house, Wenda suffered years of abuse, fueling her growing loneliness and feelings of helplessness. This neglect and pain sent her into a downward spiral, and many times she would hurt herself. Love was foreign to her. Nothing Wenda did could fill her empty heart.
When Wenda was in ninth grade, she made friends with another girl named Robinia. One day, Wenda spent the night with Robinia, and as they prepared for bed, the family gathered for prayer. They asked Wenda if she had any prayer requests, and despite initial confusion, she poured out her heart, sharing her pain and trauma. The family prayed for the young woman, and a change began in her heart. For the first time in a long time, she felt lighter and happier, the emptiness that had nearly consumed her dissolving a little.
As time passed, Wenda learned more from Robinia about the God who loved her. Then, a GFA pastor held a youth camp, and Robinia brought Wenda along. The pastor shared from God’s Word, and Wenda realized something powerful: God loved her unconditionally. She decided to follow Christ, and her pain and loneliness was replaced by healing and hope. Eventually, she became part of the local church, enjoying the peace, hope and security that only God can provide.[3]
GFA World is ministering in Africa and Asia, sharing the love of God by meeting the tangible needs of those living in poverty. You can help us as we live out the answer to the question, “What was the good news that Jesus preached?” God’s love and sacrifice for all humanity becomes a message people hear once they see His love demonstrated. Gifting income-generating gifts like farm animals or sewing machines, sponsoring a national missionary or child, giving toward clean water projects or helping provide vocational training are all opportunities for us to live out the Good News as we help people to escape poverty.[4] It doesn’t take much to help change lives and reveal the love and Good News of Jesus.
Learn more about the life of Christian missionaries through GFA World[1] “What Does It Mean That the Gospel Is Good News?” Got Questions. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.gotquestions.org/gospel-good-news.html.
[2] “National Missionaries: About National Missionaries.” GFA World. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/sponsor/why-national-missionaries/.
[3] “God’s Love Fills Teenager’s Empty Heart.” GFA World. February 28, 2022. https://gospelforasia-reports.org/2022/02/gods-love-fills-teenagers-empty-heart/.
[4] “Christmas 2024 Gift Catalog.” GFA World. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/gift/.