the saga of our salvation

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

1 Peter 1:12

The gospel is the good news. It is the best news! It is the true news that changes everything. And it has come into my life through a chain of messengers that God has ordained to save me and all who believe that Jesus lived, died for our sins, and lives again now as our only Lord and Savior.

Peter makes it clear that the gospel story started before Jesus was born. The gospel’s past is found in the Word of God and in the writings of the prophets. Specifically, these past prophets spoke about “the grace that was to be yours” (1 Peter 1:10). These preachers of the good news to come in Jesus “searched and inquired carefully” as they “predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories” (1 Peter 1:10-11). The gospel has a prophetic past. 

Right now the gospel has been announced. It is at work in the world at this very moment, as through its preaching the Holy Spirit is moving, convicting people of sin, regenerating souls that believe the good news of salvation in Christ, and keeping believers safe in the redemption of their souls. That is happening right now, as these words go through our minds! The gospel has a progressive present. By preaching the gospel we advance Christ’s kingdom every moment of every day.

And the good news of Jesus predicted in the past prophets and proclaimed by present preachers will take us into eternity! It is the story of the ages… really the story of the universe. It is so spectacular that even angels long to delve into the glorious story. Angels announced the birth of the Savior. They looked down at the Father’s pleasure at the Son’s obedience. They ministered to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane as He committed to the cross. They revealed the resurrection to wonder-filled women at an empty tomb. The gospel has a permanent future. Our hope is relentlessly secured in the presence of the throne of God and the angel hosts in heaven! This gospel saga is our story. How wonderful is this?!