Walking with Jesus

(This chapter ='s the material in Matthew 1-8.) John brings a baptism "of repentance for the remission of sins" (v.4). Jesus brings the Holy Spirit. The 1st is good and necessary, but it isn't all God has for us. Jesus begins his ministry in the context of persecution. His own victory over temptation, over His own flesh, enables Jesus to boldly preach "the gospel of the kingdom of God" (v.14). Notice in this chapter, the preaching of Jesus is not only in words. Jesus defines everything He does as the preaching which is His purpose (v.38). It includes authoritative teaching (v.22, 27), casting out unclean spirits (v.23), calling others to follow Him (v.17, 20), healing and restoration (v.31), freeing the demon-possessed (v.34 [demons may be different than unclean spirits])., and spending time alone with the Father (v.35). It is this "preaching" (all of these proclamations) that He says he must do in the next towns "also" (v.38). Th