We have a simple Gospel – don’t complicate it. Jesus called 12 disciples and gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness, saying, “Go, tell them, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand’.” Matt 10.1,7. He said this in difficult times, in a troubled society, where the Jews were divided amongst themselves, and Rome controlled the whole of Israel. His fame spread fast across the land, Matt 9.26, because people were looking for a leader, a Messiah, to save them – and because He healed them.
People will follow a leader. Today there’s an emptiness, the youth are searching. And Jesus is the one! The only one! In Matthew 9.27, two blind men heard of all the miracles Jesus had done and they followed Him into the house where He was, crying out, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” Though blind, they recognised the prophetic significance of who Jesus is. Jesus saw their faith, touched their eyes and their eyes where opened.
And Jesus went through all the cities and villages, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing every sickness and disease among the people, Matt 9.36ff. It says, ‘When He saw the multitudes He was moved with compassion on them – one translation says ‘His heart was melted’ – because they were scattered abroad as sheep with no shepherd.’ Yes, these people had leadership in their synagogues, and leadership in the Sanhedrin (the overall governing religious body), despite the internal factions of Pharisees and Sadducees. But Jesus saw that the common people in reality had no shepherd to care for them.
People today are looking for leadership, for direction, for purpose. In Britain, the sale of Bibles in 2025 soared to a record high because young people, ‘Gen Z’, don’t find any answer in the world. People are drifting, they don’t like the leaders they see but they will follow a leader – if that leader is right! And Jesus is the one, the only one! A leader moved with compassion for people!
The early Church grew up in the firm expectation of the near return of Christ. The fact that He’s delayed for 2000 years doesn’t diminish the power of the promise nor the power of the message that Jesus gave, “Go preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely you have received, freely give.” Jesus said, “Give! You don’t have to provide the money, or take extra coats, shoes or anything… What I tell you in darkness, speak in light… And don’t fear those who can kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but fear Him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt 10.7ff,26ff. Jesus is offering a Gospel that changes men.
I’ll never forget the simplicity of this Gospel when I was invited to preach in a high-security prison in Siberia in 1994. They allowed 30 minutes for worship, then I was to speak. The commanding officer told me, “200 of these men are serial murderers, 400 are serious sex offenders, the other 800 men are criminals of every kind. I beat them, I shoot them. What can your God do to change these men?” He could only offer brutality, no change. But Jesus brings life! I called on the Lord to tell me what to say. I preached love and forgiveness, a Gospel of change and power. The world today talks about violence, brutality, punishment. But I called on those men to repent. When I had finished, all 1,400 men were on their knees, and the guards with them too – crying out for God’s forgiveness! The miracle was so great, 140 of those men, when they were released, became pastors and evangelists, and 30 years later, they’re still working, still preaching Christ in the prisons in the Far East of Russia!
Christian, preach the Gospel. God offers a message of hope, of love, of power to forgive sin, power to heal the sick. You see, God gives us Power! Jesus today has more Power on earth, more Authority, than any ruler or emperor! His Power is not to coerce and control, not to punish and destroy, but to bring healing and salvation of both body and soul. Reach out to Jesus! The Power is in His Gospel!