March 30 -- "Adam vs. Jesus: A Tale of Two Choices"

 

Read Romans 5 

Romans 5 shares this incredible idea: one man’s mistake brought a world of trouble, but another man’s obedience turned it all around. Adam, the first man, said ‘no’ to God, and because of that, sin and death entered our world. But then Jesus arrived, said ‘yes’ to God, and opened the door to grace and life for everyone who believes.

This idea ties into something called “federal headship,” which might sound like a complicated theological term but is pretty simple when you think about it.  It’s about how the choices of one person can affect an entire group. Imagine a family tree.  At the top, there’s the head of the family who makes decisions that ripple down to everyone else.  In this way, Adam and Jesus are the heads of two different “families.” 

Adam represents humanity as a whole, while Jesus represents those who—by faith—follow Him. When Adam made that wrong choice in the Garden of Eden, his disobedience didn’t just affect him. It set the stage for all of us to be born with a natural bent toward sin. It’s like we inherited this tendency to go against God’s will, not because of anything we personally did, but because of what started with Adam and is embedded in us. It’s why we’re naturally drawn to things that aren’t good for us nor pleasing to God.

But here’s the good part: Jesus came to change that!  The Bible calls Him the “second Adam,” and for a good reason. Where Adam messed up, Jesus got it right.  By living a perfect life of obedience and offering Himself as a sacrifice, Jesus took on the punishment for our sins and gave us the gift of His righteousness in return. Because of Him, we’re made right with God and given power to overcome our sinful tendencies.

This profound truth about Adam and Jesus offers a lens through which you can view your life and spiritual journey. In your personal situation, it means that no matter your past mistakes, struggles, or inclinations toward imperfection, you aren’t defined by them. Like all of us, you inherited a broken nature from Adam— But through Jesus, you’ve been given the opportunity to live under a completely different reality, one rooted in grace and redemption.

So, in the day-to-day challenges you face, whether they involve relationships, work, or internal struggles, this means you can approach life with the assurance that Jesus’ “YES” covers you. His example calls you to reflect His character—choosing love, kindness, and grace—not out of obligation but because you're eternally united with Him by faith. And when you fall short because of your residual sin nature, His forgiveness and righteousness remain constant, giving you the courage to get back up and keep moving forward.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said 'yes' to the Father on our behalf, guide your steps today. May His love fill your heart, His righteousness cover you, and His compassion shine through you.