Seth Carter

Maybe you’ve been in a conversation where someone said, “Well, here’s some good news.” 

That is a welcome break since many of the things we hear, particularly in the context of “news” tends to be not so good. You may feel inundated with stories of natural disasters, bank failures, wars and corruption. Of course, there are also heart-warming feature stories about daring rescues, successful medical procedures and acts of kindness, which we can be grateful for. 

An interesting thing about most “good news” is that it is not necessarily good for everyone. When someone is sharing good news, it might be good for them, it could possibly be good for you, and for most people it might not even be news. 

The Bible tells “good news” as well, and what’s really significant is that it is good for everyone! Let’s start by asking the question, “What am I living for?” For what are you exchanging your waking hours? Is there something that really drives and motivates you? Many times at the end of the week, the goal is to catch up on a project, to do something recreational or simply to rest. Are you giving yourself to something bigger than yourself, something that will outlast you? 

In 2 Corinthians 5:15, Paul demonstrates that Jesus died for us all so that we might no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus, who literally gave his life on our behalf!

In our work, however, or in pursuing our goals, and even in reading the news, we see that the world is plagued by problems. There is constantly chaos, destruction, and blocked goals. What is the cause of this? Why is there such discord around us? 

Again, Paul writes that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) As it turns out, the problem is not an external one that can be solved with more education, time or money. It crosses cultural boundaries and exists in all ages. The problem is internal, stemming from the broken nature of humanity. The question then begs, is there a solution? One that will be compatible for everyone?

This is where the biblical definition of “good news” comes in so graciously to offer hope! In the New Testament (and you can easily look this up) a Greek word is used that most often translates in our English language as “gospel.” The definition of this word is essentially “good news.” This news is particularly good because it applies to everyone in any culture, past, present and future. The New Testament sometimes describes this good news as a “mystery,” and it truly does blow our categories since it applies equally to every single person. It also seems mysterious because it’s only attainable as a gift. It’s nothing we can earn and there’s only one place to find it. In the Gospel of John, there is a conversation recorded between Jesus and some of his disciples where he told them, “You know the way where I am going.” Thomas replied, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus responded to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

The way is not a set of rules or an attendance record or a list of activities. The way is a person; it is Jesus! This is good news! It’s good news for everyone, everywhere! Receiving a gift requires a level of humility. (If you think you deserve the gift, then essentially you worked for it, somehow thinking you earned it.) Jesus only asks of us to humble ourselves and recognize our sin. Trying to hold on to our sin, to any of our old way of life, is refusal to admit that God knows us and wants what is best for us. It is a way of saying, “I have it handled, I can figure this out on my own.” When we repent of this attitude, we can understand that Jesus is the way. The way of Jesus is the solution for all the brokenness in the world and the brokenness we find inside of us. If you haven’t already done so, I hope you will consider following this way!

(Seth Carter is director of Campus Ventures in Powell.)