Life can be a kind of “trial” in which you are trying to prove to others and yourself that you are good. We so desperately need to know what we look like and how we measure up when compared to others. That’s why we need an advocate, someone who can speak for us. Jesus is the advocate we need. He doesn’t plead our case to God. He demands justice for us from God because He already made the payment for us. Jesus gives you a completely new identity.  He removes all guilt from your life. He gives you a way to deal with discouragement and disappointment. And gives you a joy and courage to approach life with! If your advocate wins, you win! Because Jesus wins, we win!

We live in one of the most workaholic cultures in history. Technology makes it possible for us to work around the clock. We never escape our work. We get our identity, value, and worth from our work. It is hard for us to get real rest. Even when we take “vacations,” our focus and thoughts are on what we should be doing. God created us as human beings who need rest. Real rest is important. Real rest is a declaration of freedom from slavery. Real rest is being able to put something down because you are satisfied with it. Our sinful nature makes it impossible to have real rest. The only thing that can give us real rest is Jesus. In the same way a shepherd enables his sheep to rest, our Good Shepherd makes it possible for us to have true rest. Come to Him!

A brother is someone who will come and help you, even when it isn’t safe for him to do so. When life gets difficult, let’s fix our eyes on our greatest brother, Jesus. He is our brother who came to help us, even at the cost of his life. A brother stands in front of your bully for you, fights your fight for you, puts himself between you and your enemy, even puts his life on the line for you. Jesus did this as our brother! But even better, He defeated death for us! He rose again! He is the One who has our back! And He’s not ashamed to be called your “Brother.” He’s proud of it! No matter what you’ve done! It doesn’t matter what the world says about you. You have a brother who’s proud of you!

Life isn’t always easy. It’s like being on a difficult journey, looking forward to rest. Along the way, we need to know we aren’t alone. We need to know someone is with us. It is so helpful to hear someone’s voice… to know you aren’t alone. Jesus is how we know we aren’t alone. Jesus is how God lets us know He is with us. Jesus is how God speaks to us. He’s the first and last thing we need. The final Word from God. He isn’t like anything else that promises it can help us through this life. We can’t treat Him the same. Jesus is God talking to us. Jesus doesn’t tell us how to get to God. Jesus is the way to God. The resurrected, living, Word of God! The last word from God we’ll ever need.

We spend so much energy trying to squeeze everything out of this life—more success, more experiences, more meaning—hoping it will finally feel like enough. But “more” always runs out. The world feels fractured and loud, trust is thin, and we’re expected to curate a life that looks put-together even when it isn’t. Add sickness, loss, and the reality that life ends, and it’s easy to feel worn down and hopeless.

Easter interrupts all of that. Jesus’ resurrection means death doesn’t get the final word, and our lives aren’t measured by how much we managed to pack in. Because He lives, our future is secure—and that changes life right now. This is not the end. In Christ, it’s the beginning of a life that can’t be taken away.

The crowds wanted a conqueror. Jesus gave them a cross. He rides in—not on a warhorse, but on a donkey. Not with a sword, but with tears for the city. Jesus unplugs everything we think we know about victory. He enters not to take power but to give His life. Are you ready for a King who undoes your categories? Because He didn’t come to meet your expectations—He came to save your soul.

On the night before He died, Jesus prayed for you. He didn’t just pray for His disciples—He prayed for all who would believe. That we would be one. In a world of division, tribalism, and outrage, Jesus unplugs our addiction to self and prays for a Church that looks like heaven—diverse, unified, and rooted in His truth.

Everything was about to fall apart. So Jesus spoke peace. In a world of headlines, panic, and noise, Jesus speaks four words that echo across centuries: “Do not be troubled.” But this isn’t a shallow self-help mantra. It’s rooted in who He is: the Way, the Truth, the Life. Jesus unplugs fear and replaces it with confidence rooted in eternity.

Jesus didn’t leave us alone—He filled us with Himself. When Jesus said He’d send the Helper, He wasn’t offering spiritual motivation. He was offering power—His own presence. In a distracted and discouraged world, Jesus unplugs our fear of not being enough and fills us with the Spirit who is more than enough.

Jesus doesn’t take the throne; He takes a towel. In a culture that worships charisma, platforms, and power, Jesus gets on His knees and washes feet. He rewrites greatness with humility and defines leadership as love. This week, Jesus unplugs our obsession with status and invites us into a kingdom where glory is found in stooping low.