Is Your Gospel Good News
This week at City Church we have been reflecting on the words of Jesus where he blesses the poor, the hungry, and the grieving (Luke 6:17-21) As we discuss this complicated teaching, there are a couple important reminders to come back to.
First, God doesn’t cause harm nor inflict suffering. On Sunday, our guest co-preacher, Shannon described her work with folks on the streets of Skid Row experiencing tremendous poverty and hunger. In her medical work, Shannon goes to these people, she sees them in their full humanity and dignity, she learns from them, and she uses her skills and gifts to help them. Shannon to me is a great image of being God-like. God doesn’t want people to be hurting, but rather Jesus “Emmanuel” is with the poor, the hungry, the grieving working to bring life and liberation.
Second, if we are “proclaiming” the Gospel which refers to the “Good News” of Jesus, but the life we are living isn’t bringing Good News to those suffering—it is not the Gospel.
"Any message that is not related to the liberation of the poor in a society is not Christ's message. Any theology that is indifferent to the theme of liberation is not Christian theology." - James H. Cone, A Black Theology of Liberation
Christians have many interpretations and responses to what the “Gospel” means. It can be all about converting people to believe in Jesus or about one’s devotion to reading the Bible, but if our theology and gospel are not alleviating suffering for the poor, hungry, and grieving it is not the Good News of Jesus.
This is a hard message. I think it is one of the hardest messages of Christianity. It is as if we are faced with Jesus asking, “Do you love me?” We respond “Of course we do!” And Jesus reminds us “Feed my Sheep” or “Take care of my people.” (John 21). The heart of the Gospel is liberation.
As a church, let’s keep pressing into this message. All of us are in different seasons with different capacities. As a result, our responses will look different. Wherever you are at, keep this uncomfortable question to mind: Am I actually bringing the Good News of Jesus to my community?
by Dottie Oleson