The Greatness of the Gospel: Meditations on the Greatest Story Ever Told

By Bill Jenkins

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest historical record ever written. It tells of something that purportedly could not have ever happened…but did. The record we are given in the Gospel brings hope and promise wherever we are. It is by far the greatest story ever told.

In a collection of meditations, retired pastor Bill Jenkins offers reflections that consider the greatness of the gospel in several of its various facets, from the greatest beginning to the greatest victory. The meditations explore the great themes presented in the gospels that include The Great Beginning, the Greatest Good News, the Greatest Person, the Greatest Invitation, the Greatest Disaster, the Greatest Victory, and more. Included are scripture references that offer additional insight into the Word of God.

The Greatness of the Gospel offers spiritual meditations and scripture that lead believers through various inspirational facets presented in biblical teachings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664298996

Bill Jenkins

Bill Jenkins is a retired pastor and teacher who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Greenville University, and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He pastored churches in Texas and spent three summers as an exchange pastor in England. He has compiled two other works, A Pastor Ponders and Daddy’s Pulpit. Bill and his wife, Loretta, have four children, eight grandchildren, and live in Georgetown, Texas.

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-9900-9 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2023908162

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/10/2023

CONTENTS

Introduction

1.     The Great Beginning

2.     The Greatness of the Gospel

3.     The Greatest Good News

4.     The Greatest Person

5.     The Greatest Message

6.     The Greatest Invitation

7.     The Greatest Bargain

8.     The Greatest Decision

9.     The Greatest Disaster

10.   The Greatest Sacrifice

11.   The Greatest Victory

INTRODUCTION

The Beginning of the Gospel

Read Mark 1:1–8

Mark began his telling of the story of Jesus with these words: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These words are like a starting gun at the beginning of a footrace. Mark saw the miraculous in the preaching of the gospel and began his account with a sense of wonder and expectation. Everything was fresh and new. Everything was filled with wonder. Mark set out to tell us about it with energy and enthusiasm. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God … He set a hook in the hearts of readers with these words. It is God’s story—the greatest story ever told.

Mark was not at all like that fellow in Kentucky in 1809 who asked, Any news down’t the village, Ezry?

Well, Squire McLain’s gone t’ Washington t’ see Madison swore in, and ol’ Spellman tells me this Bonaparte fella has captured most of Spain. What’s new out here, neighbor?

Nuttin’. Nuttin’ a’ tall ’cept for a new baby born t’ Tom Lincolns. Nuttin’ eva happens out here. I believe they’s callin’ em Abe.

Mark was excited about telling the story of Jesus. Someone great had been born. Something significant had happened, and he wanted to tell the world about it. Mark did not begin with the birth of Jesus as Matthew and Luke did. Still he knew that at the heart of the story he is about to tell is God’s incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as it is written in the Prophets … Mark knows the story began way back there. History is not a random kaleidoscope of disconnected events. It is a process directed by God, who has plans and purposes to fulfill. Marcus Aurelius said it well: The things of God are full of foresight.

Mark set out to tell a story that had never been told before about an event that had never happened before and could not possibly have happened—but it did. It is a good-news story. There has never been a generation of people not hungry for good news. It was so in Mark’s day when John the Baptist came out of the wilderness with the good news that the Messiah was at the door, and all the land of Judea went out to him.

But that’s nothing, said Mark. "You should have been there when John stepped aside and Jesus took the lead. From border to border and bank to bank an excitement filled the land of promise.

"The Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God, has walked and talked among us and is with us still. I want to tell you about the sick folks who were healed and the deranged folks who were put in their right minds. I want to tell you how whole cities and towns came out to hear Him and how the entire countryside hung on His every word. I want to tell you how He forgave sinners so compassionately and inspired hope in the hopeless. I want you to know how He empowered the requirements of the law by changing people’s hearts.

"I must tell you how the elements of nature bowed to His will and obeyed His every word. I must tell you how the world turned against Him and how His closest friends ran off when He was arrested.

"You’ve just got to hear the story of His execution and how He was left to die in the dark. And then—are you ready for this? You’re going to have a hard time believing it, but I’ve got to tell you how He returned to life again and turned the world upside down.

"Oh,