The Story of the World – Part 1

As I turned to the first chapter of Dr Timothy Keller’s new book, King’s Cross, the purpose was immediately clear. Keller opens with a quote from Mark 1:

‘The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.’ (Mark 1:1)

This encapsulates the heart of the message of the gospel. This is what Dr Keller’s book is all about and this is what the Bible is all about. Moreover, this is what Easter is all about. Not chocolate, not traditions, not the Easter bunny. Easter is about this – Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The first half of Dr Keller’s book (as you will see over the coming weeks), centres on introducing us to the person of Jesus. In the first few chapters, Dr Keller is focused upon placing Jesus at the very centre of the gospel message. The application is clear: just as Father, Son and Holy Spirit centre themselves around each other, so we should centre our lives around Christ. In chapter two, he states;

‘Jesus will not be a means to an end. He will not be used. If He calls you to follow Him, He must be the goal.’ (p.19).

Secondly, Dr Keller points out that the gospel is good news. We may have heard this message innumerable times, but what does it mean? More specifically, what does it mean to us? When we hear about Jesus does our heart leap? Does it bring us joy to hear the good news? Dr Keller challenges us to make sure we understand the difference between religion and the gospel. Between advice and news. We can’t earn a place in heaven. Following Jesus doesn’t mean following a list of rules. It’s a heart response to the call of God and we should rejoice when we hear it.

Finally, Dr Keller looks at the story of the paralysed man in Mark 2:1-12. He explains that once we hear the call and respond to it, God begins to change us. Sometimes we think change means that all our problems will be solved and we can look forward to a constant state of bliss and happiness. Jesus knows that what we think is the problem is usually not the problem. Dr Keller uses an example from C.S.Lewis’ book, the Voyage of the Dawn Treader to explain the healing process. As a result of his greed, Eustace turns into a dragon. Aslan comes and tells Eustace to remove the dragon skin. It’s painful. Aslan uses his claws and he goes deep, but the skin is removed and Eustace is a boy once again.

We are in the same position as Eustace – but this time, it’s Jesus that wants to remove our sins. There’s going to be a lot of pain in the process, but after the pain, comes healing.

‘We need someone…who will use his claws, lovingly and carefully, to pierce our self-centredness and remove the sin that enslaves us and distorts even our beautiful longings. In short, we need to be forgiven. That’s the only way for our discontent to be healed. It will take more than a miracle worker or a divine genie – it will take a Saviour.’ (p.35).

So, what can conclude from this first insight into Keller’s book? Firstly, Jesus needs to be the centre of our lives. Secondly, we must hear and respond to His call. Thirdly, we need a Saviour. In short, we need Christ. Everything points to Him.

I can’t help but feel that over the next few weeks, as we read through this book and as Dr Keller leads us through key passages in Mark’s gospel, that everything that we read and write about will be pointing to Him. Can we emphasise this enough in the run up to Easter? I think not.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15).

Caroline Evans.

**This post is part of a series of posts that will take place in the run up to Easter, recording various Firwood members’ reflections as they read through Timothy Keller’s ‘King’s Cross’. Please feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments below. For more information, click here**