In his book, Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson tells a story about a defining moment in his life- the first time he met a man on death row. Henry was about the same age as Bryan at the time (early 20's) and was sentenced to death...a death that lingered in front of him though he did not know when it would come.
As a representative of the Southern Prisoners Defense Committee, Bryan came to meet Henry for one reason: to give him the simple message that he would not die in the next year.
Henry's response was one of great relief. Henry didn't see his wife or children for a time because he didn't want them to come to visit when he had an execution date- he was fearful and ashamed to see them in that way. Bryan's simple message freed Henry from the shame he was carrying.
As Bryan tells the story in his book, it says he was "astonished" that Henry responded in the way he did. The message meant something. The message changed Henry. The message gave Henry hope because he was affected by the words.
When we hear "good news" it affects us. For Henry, he knew he had more time and he could live some sort of life again.The hope he found was a relief from the burden of unknowing that he lived with day to day. We live off of good news. We need good news to speak to the deepest places of burden and hopelessness that we feel, or hide from ourselves.
It is because of the value of good news ('the gospel") that we can understand why Paul was astonished in another way: because the Galatians had deserted both the message and the One whom the message was about so quickly. Paul quickly challenged the Galatians to remember and return to the simple message that they had once embraced, but had abandoned to their own loss.
The message matters. The message is worth fighting for. The message is worth loving for. The message gives hope to those who know their own need. The message points clearly to the One we need the most.
Paul was astonished because the Galatians weren't astonished and he wanted to point them back to their heart's true home in Jesus.
How do we need to hear the good news again? Why have we wandered away, deserting him who called us? What is is about "the gospel" that changes everything for us?