First Sunday of Lent | Gospel
Read Mark 1:1-15
Gospel. It means “good news.” The Greek word euangelion was used to describe the announcement of victory in battle, or other good news. The birth of Caesar Augustus was hailed as a euangelion. His birthday “signaled the beginning of Good News for the world.”
In the Greco-Roman world, that word was always used in plural form- one piece of Good News among others. In the New Testament, it is only ever used in the singular. The ONE Good News- that Jesus has come to save the world. JESUS is THE Gospel.
As we begin this season of Lent, it is a time to refocus on the Good News. The Gospel. Lent has historically been a time for Christians to reflect on their own limitedness. Their propensity to sin, to lose our way. Our finiteness. This is why we take the mark of the ashes on Ash Wednesday. To remember that we came from dust, and to dust we will return. To remember that outside of the Gospel- there is no other good news.
Today, ask God to help you focus intently on the Gospel for this season, to remind you anew how very much you need the Good News of Jesus.