Of late, I've been reflecting on the very nature of the Gospel. What is it? In particular, I'm concerned that in the US, at least one aggressive, partisan group is attempting to redefine the Gospel for their own personal gain. Instead of allowing the Scriptures which speak of Christ to define the Gospel, groups such as this would like to convince American Christians that the Gospel is synonymous with their particular tradition's theological perspective.

So, today being Good Friday, I'd like to draw attention to what the Scriptures specifically teach the Good News to be in the Good Friday account.

In Mark's Gospel, the scene depicting Jesus' death (chapter 15) begins with Jesus' trial before Pilate. The issue that brings Jesus before him is the accusation that he is a threat to the Romans—that he claims political authority. He is not tried for healing on the Sabbath. He is not tried for teaching in the Temple courts. He is not tried for forgiving sins. He is tried because he is the Christ!

Pilate asks, "Are you the king of Jews?"

A king? So what? That doesn't matter, right? All that matters is that he forgives sins, right? All the matters is that he absorbs the wrath of God for us, right?

Apparently not.

What is Jesus' response? "You said it!"

The next scene Mark records is Pilate addressing the crowd regarding Jesus' fate. What is his question to them? "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" Instead, the crowd cries, "Crucify him!"

From there, Mark takes us to Jesus' humiliation at the hands of the Roman soldiers. They mock and beat him. What is their scornful insult? "Hail, king of the Jews"

Anyone else noticing a theme?

Next, Jesus is crucified. What is written above him on the cross? "SACRIFICIAL SUBSTITUTE" Oh, wait, no. That's not it. "WRATH DEFLECTOR" Nope. Not even close.

You guessed it: "THE KING OF THE JEWS"

What is the point Mark? What are you trying to tell us? We're not getting the message?

Oh, is it that Jesus is the King, the Messiah, the Son of God?

Yes. Yes, it is.

If there was any doubt left that Mark's Gospel culminates with the clear message that Jesus is the Messiah—the Son of God and King of Israel and the World, he makes it perfectly clear in the definitive statement of the Roman Centurion:

"Surely this man was the Son of God!"

The Good Friday Gospel is not a doctrine—it is a Person: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Messiah, King of Israel and the World!