The Beginning: Gospel as God's Good News to Sinners

Mark opens with arche (beginning)—not merely chronological but cosmic. The gospel of Jesus Christ inaugurates what all Scripture converges toward and radiates from.

John the Baptist embodied this beginning through three movements. First, in his way of living: self-denial and nonconformity to the world. Second, in his preaching and baptizing: the proclamation of remission of sin upon true repentance, and Christ's pre-eminence, power, and promises. Third, in his success: the formation of a gospel church.

This beginning seemed unpropitious—remedial truth confined to one lonely man, son of a Jewish peasant. Yet observe the magnificent progress: the solitary seed now covers many acres with precious grain; the little spring has swollen into a majestic river, bearing souls toward higher civilization, purer faith, and diviner morality.

The word evangelion (gospel) means euaggelion—good news, glad tidings. It is good news from Elohim to humanity, from heaven to earth, from the infinitely holy to the depths of human wretchedness and sin. This is no mere report from nation to nation, but a voice breaking through the silence and discord of our fallen condition.

When the tumult of life ceases to fill our ears, we hear that voice—the beginning of mercy and love answering ancient prophecy.