Friday, April 10, 2026

Bible in a Year: Psalms 149-150 | Matthew 2

Have you ever experienced reconciliation in a relationship that was restored to a place you once were? Or, even better, found yourself in a more peaceful place than before the hurt, hardship, or heartbreak began?

I can relate. There's something powerful about a story not ending where you thought it would. Restoration is more than a return; it’s often a step into something better than before.

This is why Easter matters so much to those who follow Jesus.

Easter isn’t just the conclusion of a story. It’s the turning point of everything.

Jesus died on the cross in a powerful act of love, but it’s his resurrection that transforms that sacrifice into new life for all who believe.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

Christ’s resurrection reversed the dominion of death. What entered the world through Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12) has now been overcome through Jesus’ victory.

So, what does this mean for us personally? Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

The keyword here is “belongs.” Adam’s life affected everyone connected to him. In the same way, Christ’s life transforms everyone united with him. When we trust Jesus, we move from Adam’s line (which leads to death) to Christ’s line (which leads to resurrection and life).

This is good news! If you’re new to faith in Jesus, take heart: your physical death is not the end. Because you are united to the One who conquered death, Christ’s resurrection guarantees your own.

Jesus didn’t just die to cover our past. He rose to redeem our future. His resurrection means we’re no longer defined by who we were; we’re invited into something new: a restored relationship with God, a transformed identity, and a living hope that carries us through anything.

Easter isn’t just something we believe - it’s an invitation to respond.

Embrace this new life, and step into the restoration Jesus offers today.

Questions:
What would it look like to live like hope is truly alive in me?

Do I truly believe that the resurrection changes my life today, or just my eternity?

Where do I need to trust Jesus for new life instead of trying to fix things on my own?

Next Steps:
Take a few minutes to reflect on an area of your life that feels “dead” or stuck. Invite Jesus into it.

Share this hope with someone. Easter is too good to keep to yourself.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for not letting the story end at the cross. Thank you for rising again and defeating sin and death. Help me live in the reality of your resurrection - not just knowing it but experiencing it. Bring new life to the parts of me that feel broken or stuck, and teach me to walk forward with real hope. Because you are alive, I can live differently. I love you, I trust you, and I worship you. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Ephesians 1:5
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content for the Daily LivingItOut.