The gospel, or good news of Christ, is a restorative work. The liberating power of the gospel puts us in right relationship with God, and as agents of his salt and light in the world, he invites us to join him in reconciling all things to himself. This restoration of all things goes well beyond the spiritual and encompasses a commitment to holistic restoration including emotional, mental, and physical restoration. This is the good, restorative work of the kingdom.

Jesus came to earth to usher in this kingdom, to introduce a new way forward, to shake up the status quo. At the beginning of his earthly ministry, he went to the synagogue in Nazareth where he grew up. He stood up and read a prophecy from Isaiah that described his purpose in the world: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18). He then said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).