The world today is full of labels. Whether it’s about politics, sexuality, gender, career, income-level, it feels like we’re defined by a select number of nouns and adjectives. The Gospel says something completely different, however. There is only one identifying thing and that is simply Jesus Christ. This is who you are.

Knowing what the plan is and even what to do in it is one thing. Having the ability, however, to execute is an entirely other thing. We can’t do it on our own, whether it be cleaning up our lives, fixing our homes, or experiencing God. But God gives what He commands. He gives His Holy Spirit.

Sometimes we struggle to see the forest for the trees, whether we’re watching global affairs or just wondering if our little old lives mean anything in the big scheme of things. Are we just momentary blips passing through the cosmos? Is the world just heading toward chaos and destruction? Jesus is the answer! In Him both human beings and the world itself can be brought into perfect relationship with God.

What’s the point of life? What’s the point of this world? If one day we’re all just going to die, what about all this stuff we have around us? Is it really all about eating, drinking, and being merry or is life just about trying to one day just make it to heaven? Jesus’ full bodily resurrection proves to us, though, that God loves this world and has amazing plans for us not only in the future but for today as well!

As God created the heavens and the earth by speaking light into darkness, humanity’s sin and rebellion invited the darkness back in. In the cross, then, Jesus would take that darkness upon himself in order to defeat death in his own death.

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday aligned with many of the symbols of kingship the people were looking for. And yet, despite these signs the week would end with this would-be king hanging to die on a Roman cross. Were the people wrong, or, had that been right all along?

You don’t need to be an engineer to know a solid foundation is necessary to a stable building. Everything can look beautiful and top of the line on top, but without a firm base everything will collapse. The Sermon on the Mount has illustrated exactly what the Kingdom Jesus is building is, culminating in this final command to be sure our core foundation and beliefs are in the right place.

Some criticize and characterize Christians as judgmental. But when something is out of alignment with God’s design is it judgmental to state that? How do we embody the righteousness of the Kingdom in a loving and humble way without becoming hypocrites? Jesus says just to Ask.

We can tell what a person really believes and values by where they invest their time, money, and affections. If we work in reverse then we’ll see where our true loyalties and allegiances are and that, ultimately, you are what you love.

Why pray if God already knows everything that is going to happen? Why pray if God has a Sovereign Will that will be done no matter what? Yet Jesus doesn’t just invite us to pray but commands it. He then even gives us a model. By understanding the Lord’s Prayer not only can our own prayer lives be transformed but our very friendship with our heavenly Father.