The Spirit of God has from the beginning in Genesis been doing what brings life according to God's purpose. He, now, works for God's purpose in God's covenant related children, by God's own promise (Acts 2:38, 39; Eph 3:16; Jn 6:63; 7:37-39 et al.).

Trying to fit the redemption of the kingdom into a system of human performance is a waste of time and a rejection of Christ's redeeming blood (Matt 9:14-18).

Arrogance, self-righteousness, seeks to diminish salvation to a checklist of rules accomplished by human effort. This mentality will keep us from hearing and receiving the message of salvation. The rich young man in Matt 19:16-30 stands as an illustration of a checklist mentality.

What tax collector expects a rabbi, much less the Messiah, to call him to "follow Me"? Which of the disciples wants to be seen with a known tax collector as a part of their group? If a tax collector gets a personal invitation to follow Jesus, and receives a purposed designation as a apostle of the Christ, what hope will that afford tax collectors and sinners, even today?!

As Fathers, we face the God-given responsibility to protect and provide for our families. This pressure serves well to point us to the Faithful Father, who will provide for us as we seek to imitate Him.

The LORD, YHWH, had proven His authority and His enduring love to save, deliver, and rescue. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's power to keep His promises (Psalms 107; Matt 8).

The Holy Spirit brings the message, the truth about salvation in Him, and as a result of God's promise in His Son, we have God's love within us, by His promised Holy Spirit (Jn 14, 15, 16, 1 Cor 2:9-10; Acts 2:38, 39; Rom 5:5; 1 Cor 13).

Jesus shows Himself to be the fulfillment of God's salvation to those who cry out for His help (Psalm 107:23-32; Matt 8:23-27).

Jews of Jesus' day were icons of privilege turning to entitlement! As a result, most of them missed the opportunity of participating in the spiritual feast of the kingdom (Matt 8:1-22)

Christ, the Messiah, was a fulfillment of God's promises both to David and Abraham, as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham. The coming of the Christ is a main part of God's purpose in ancient Israel. This was their privilege, as God's covenant people.