The Story Behind the Cross: God’s Plan to Get You Back

Kelly Kirstein
5 days ago
4 min read

A Simple Explanation for Salvation

What the Cross Means for Girls Who Just Want to Be Free

Why Did Jesus Have to Come to Earth and Die to Get You Back?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to come to earth and then die on the cross? If God is loving, couldn’t He just forgive everyone and skip the pain and suffering?

That’s a really good question. To understand it, we have to go back to how it all started.

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God’s Original Plan

In the beginning, God made people to live close to Him and rule over the earth with His wisdom and love (Genesis 1:26). We were created to reflect who He is—to bring peace, beauty, and goodness everywhere we went.

But Satan wanted that authority. So he tricked Adam and Eve into doubting God and doing what He told them not to do. When they sinned, they handed their authority over to Satan (Luke 4:6–7).

That one moment changed everything. Sin entered the world. Shame and fear followed. People’s connection with God was broken.

But God already had a plan to make it right.

Think about it: When have you felt the weight of something broken—like a friendship or trust—and wished it could be made right again?

The Rescue Plan

God loved us too much to leave us stuck in sin. So He came to earth Himself—as Jesus.

Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life (1 John 3:5). He faced temptation, hurt, and rejection—but He never sinned. Because of that, Satan had no power over Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment that sin deserves. He paid the full price—death itself—so we could be forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).

Then, three days later, something no one expected happened. Jesus rose from the dead! He holds the "keys of death & Hades". (Revelation 1:18)

That moment broke the power of sin and death forever. Satan lost. Jesus won. And through Him, humanity’s place in God’s plan was restored (Luke 10:19).

In Matthew 28:18, Jesus says, "Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth." Then he instructs his disciples to go and make disciples of nations, meaning they were called to share what they had found. He asks you to do the same.

Think about it: How does it make you feel to know that Jesus took your place—not because He had to, but because He wanted to?

What It Means for You

When you choose to follow Jesus, His victory becomes your victory. You’re no longer under the control of sin or fear—you’re free (Galatians 5:1).

You belong to God’s Kingdom now, where His peace and presence are real. And just like Jesus was raised to life, one day you will be too. God reveals the spiritual change that must take place to be raised from the dead to imperishable in 1 Corinthians 15:35–58.

This isn’t just a story about the past. It’s about your life today and your forever with Him.

Think about it: What does freedom in Jesus mean to you personally? Where have you seen His power bring life to something that once felt dead or hopeless?

Why Not All Paths Lead to God

You might hear people say, “All religions lead to the same God,” or “As long as you’re a good person, that’s what matters. ”It sounds peaceful but it’s not what Jesus said.

Jesus didn’t claim to be one way to God. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

If all religions could lead to God, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to die. But His death and resurrection show that there was no other way.

God isn’t trying to keep people out. He’s inviting them in. He made a way through Jesus because He loves us that much.

Think about it: Why do you think God made salvation through Jesus alone instead of many different ways? How does that truth help you trust His love even more?