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Jesus did not volunteer to die on the cross. He was arrested, tortured, and crucified as a criminal because of his words and deeds. His death itself is never good news. In fact, there is no word of "the gospel (good news) of the cross" in the New Testament. But the message about the cross is the power of God, as Paul says in 1 Cor 1:18: "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." What is the power of God working through the cross of Jesus?
The cross of Jesus is a symbol of love for the oppressed and the marginalized (1 Cor 1:17-31). That is, Jesus did not spare his life to advocate for them. Jesus' death is not a substitutionary sacrifice that one can say: "Thank you for dying instead of me." On the contrary, Paul's logic is that because Christ died for all, all have died with him (2 Cor 5:14). His death alone is not enough. Dying with Christ means to live by his faith and to be led by the Spirit (Rom 8:13; Gal 2:20).
The good news is that God raised Jesus from the dead and vindicated him.
- The good news is that justice reigns.
- The good news is that God is faithful to humanity.
- The good news is that Christ proved God's love through his faith.
- "The good news is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith" (Rom 1:16).
- The good news is that the Spirit is with the children of God.
- The good news is that all may live by the power of God.
The good news becomes powerful and effective to those who accept the rule of God and change their mind to seek the way of God (Mark 1:15).