Jesus demonstrates that He possesses the authority to forgive sin, as desperate men do whatever it takes to get their paralyzed companion to Jesus. At the same time, religious men sit satisfied, not recognizing their need for Christ.

Esau sells his birthright for a bowl of stew. This wasn't just his inheritance of servants, money, and livestock - the inheritance from Abraham and Isaac came with a promise from God. The "seed" would come from the line of Abraham and Isaac. God already told Rebecca that Jacob would be the promised seed, but here we see Esau couldn't care less about his spiritual inheritance. He was a profane man (Heb. 12:17).

A man full of leprosy desires Jesus to make him clean. The leper is unclean and shut out of the presence of God in the Temple, and the community of God. He must yell, "unclean, unclean" to warn those who come near. His uncleanness defiles everything he touches, but when Jesus touches him...

Jesus demonstrates authority over Peter's fishing and calls him to become a fisher of men. Jesus has authority over every area of our lives but that authority demands a response. Peter responds in repentance and faith, forsaking all to follow Jesus

Jesus proclaims the only sin that will not be forgiven "in this word or the next world." He calls this sin the Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. What is this sin and how can I know if I have committed it? The answer is found in the context of Matthew chapter 12.

Jesus begins demonstrating His authority as the kingdom of God begins breaking into creation. Jesus casts away the effects of the fall by healing diseases and casting out demons. His word has power to conquer the kingdom of darkness and He is compassionate toward those bound in its grip

Jesus returns to His hometown preaching the good news of the kingdom. The people of Nazareth turn on Him and try to kill Him because of His message. Jesus shows them the things that are keeping them from trusting in Him as Messiah...they are the same things that keep people from believing today, and these obstacles also keep believers from growing in Christ.

Jesus enters into the greatest fight for us. Just as Adam and Israel entered the ring to fight against Satan's temptations and lost, Jesus enters on our behalf and is victorious. Jesus shows us how to fight by wielding God's Word, the Sword of the Spirit, but more importantly, Jesus fights for us, proving He is the perfect God-Man who is able to atone for our sin.

John the Baptist testifies to the truth about the Messiah - His infinite worth, His Effective ministry, and His identity as judge. God the Father and God the Holy Spirit also Testify to the Identity of the Son.

John the Baptist emerges from the wilderness as the last Old Testament type prophet. He preaches a message of repentance to Israel as he prepares their hearts for the coming of the Messiah. Repentance is just as necessary for salvation today as it was then. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin.