Most of us grew up hearing about the cross and resurrection—maybe in church, in Sunday school, fellowships or at family gatherings. But let’s be honest: sometimes it can feel distant, like an old story we nod along to but don’t fully grasp. Here’s the truth: the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection is not just history. They are the blueprint for how we can live, rise, and stay unshaken in a world that tries to break us.
The cross wasn’t easy. Jesus carried every weight—every sin, every betrayal, every hurt we’ve ever felt. Isaiah 53:5 (NLT) says it plainly: “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” The cross wasn’t some symbolic gesture; it was the moment Jesus stepped into pain, shame, and rejection that we deserved. Every betrayal, every lie, every weight of sin—He carried it. And He did it for you. Not for some idea of you. Not for your potential. For you—right now, where you are. There’s no way to fully unpack that without humility because it’s bigger than us. Jesus stepped in and took it on Himself so you could walk free. That kind of love isn’t casual—it’s intentional, it’s radical, and it’s personal.
But the story doesn’t stop at the cross. Resurrection morning changed everything. Matthew 28:6 (NLT) reminds us: “He is not here! He has risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come and see the place where he lay.” This wasn’t a “check-the-box” miracle. It was a declaration. The resurrection proves that death, failure, and defeat do not have the final word. Your past doesn’t have to define you. Your struggles don’t have to chain you. When Jesus rose, He made a way for you to rise too—free from fear, free from shame, and ready to live with purpose.
Jesus rose, and with Him comes the same power that can lift you out of what feels dead in your life. That’s the kind of hope that gets you up when you feel like staying down.
Romans 12:1 (NLT) says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Being thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It’s about letting it shape how you live. It’s showing up differently in your relationships, your hustle, your community. It’s about walking in integrity even when nobody’s watching, giving your time and energy in ways that matter, and keeping your eyes on what God is building in your life.
Living in this gratitude takes courage. The world will test you. People will doubt you. You’ll face setbacks that make you want to give up. But that’s when the power of the cross and resurrection becomes real in your life. It reminds you that your identity isn’t in how the world labels you, how much you struggle, or how many times you fall—it’s rooted in what He did on the cross and the victory He secured in the resurrection.
So today, be thankful—not just for the story of Jesus, but for the life it gives you. Let the power of His resurrection lift you. Don’t just nod your head—let it change your mindset, your moves, and your mission. Be thankful, not just for the story, but for the life, freedom, and purpose it gives you. Because His cross was heavy—but it was for you. And His resurrection is your assurance that you can rise, too. ■
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Rise Up–Thankful for the Cross and Resurrection”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2026. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.