In many of our Christian circles we have reduced the gospel to "Jesus died so I can go to heaven." Most assuredly, the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus have made it possible for us to experience a restored relationship with God and spend eternity with Him. This is neither the totality of the good news that Jesus proclaimed, nor is this individualistic understanding of personal salvation the primary way in which Jesus presented the good news of the kingdom of God.
Jesus often makes mention of his commission to proclaim the good news (Mark 1:38). However, examining the way in which the gospel writers portray His ministry reveals an important aspect that we often miss. Matthew states that Jesus was "proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people" (Matt 4:23). Likewise, Mark says Jesus was, "preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons" (Mark 1:39). Typically, Jesus was preaching and doing something.
Imagine if Jesus traveled the countryside and verbally proclaimed a message that God was overcoming the curse and reconciling the fallen world to Himself, but never once cast out a demon, healed the sick, or fed the hungry. What reason would anyone have to believe Him? Why would people stake their lives on those seemingly hollow words? The crowds followed Him because He backed up what He said with concrete manifestations that it was true.
Of course many only came for the miracles and ultimately they fell away, but that did not stop Jesus from acting. He continued to preach and heal the sick, cast out demons, and feed the hungry. This has significant implications of how the Church is to engage in our mission to make disciples among the nations. If we expect people to turn from the fallen world and embrace King Jesus, then we must manifest the good news of the kingdom which we proclaim.
Our words must be supported with manifestations of their reality. If the good news of the kingdom is that, in Christ, God is overcoming the fall, then we must manifest that reality or our proclamation is hollow and will likely be rejected. If there is racism, then preach the gospel and manifest reconciliation. If people are hungry, then preach the gospel and feed them. If people are sick, then preach the good news of the kingdom and care for them. This is what Jesus did during His earthly ministry and what He desires to do in His ongoing ministry through the Church.