How Three Words Changed Everything: He Has Risen

When Life Feels Heavy, and Emotions Run Deep

This past week and a half has been a swirl of emotions for me.

My daughter hurt her back, so she has been staying with Joe and me, and I’ve been soaking up every minute helping with the baby. There is something about holding that little one that makes everything else fade into the background for a while.

But at the same time, my heart has been pulled in another direction.

As I’ve been reading about Easter, I kept thinking about Mary. Not the birth story, not the quiet night in the stable, but the ending she had to witness.

I wrote a post years ago called Mary, Did You Know, and back then, I was thinking about the miracle of Jesus’ birth. But this week, I found myself asking a different question.

Did she know what was coming later? Because I cannot imagine watching your child go through what Jesus endured.

The Weight of What Jesus Endured

The week leading up to the crucifixion is hard to read.

Jesus was betrayed. Denied. Lied about. Spit on. Slapped. Mocked. Beaten. Humiliated.

This was God’s Son. The Savior of the world. And He was treated worse than a criminal.

I’ll be honest with you, one word kept coming to mind all week. Ashamed.

When Scripture Becomes Personal

I’ve gotten into the habit of doing something a little different when I read scripture. I put my name into the verse. It’s a small change, but let me tell you, it hits differently.

Romans 5:8 (NIV)
⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Now read it this way:

But God demonstrates His own love for Tania in this: While Tania was still a sinner, Christ died for her.

Whew. That will stop you in your tracks. Because suddenly, it’s not “people.” It’s not “the world.” It’s me.

And that realization brought on a wave of guilt and shame. He endured all of that… for me.

When Guilt Makes You Want to Look Away

As the week went on, I noticed something. I didn’t want to keep reading.

I didn’t want to sit in the pain of it. I didn’t want to feel that weight anymore. So I started doing what we all do sometimes, I avoided it. Out of sight, out of mind.

If I didn’t think about what Jesus endured, then maybe I wouldn’t have to feel so guilty. But that’s not where the story ends. Not even close.

The Three Words That Change Everything

Everything shifted with three simple words. He Has Risen.

Mark 16:5-6 (NIV)
⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

Can you even imagine that moment? The women went to the tomb expecting grief. Instead, they were met with something they never saw coming.

Hope.

I picture their emotions going in waves, heartbreak, fear, confusion, then slowly turning into wonder… and finally, overwhelming joy. And just like that, everything changed.

You Are Not Forgotten

Then comes a verse that gets me every single time.

Mark 16:7 (NIV)
⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

Why Peter? Because Jesus knew. He knew Peter had denied Him. He knew the guilt Peter was carrying. He knew the shame that was sitting heavily on his heart.

And still, He called him by name. So, of course, I did what I’ve been doing all week. I put my name in that verse.

“But go, tell his disciples and Tania…”

And just like that, it felt personal again. It reminded me that even in my guilt, even in my moments of weakness, I am not forgotten.

Neither are you.

From Shame to Standing Tall

Those three words didn’t just change the story. They changed everything.

They took me from feeling ashamed and weighed down… to lifting my head again.

Because the cross was not the end. The empty tomb is the reason we can stand tall. The sacrifice was real, yes. But so is the victory.

Raise your head and lift it high for all to see. And, don’t forget – Go and Tell!

To God Goes the Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!

Let’s End With A Prayer

Lord,

Sometimes we sit in the weight of what You endured for us, and it feels overwhelming. We think about the pain, the sacrifice, and the cost, and we can’t help but feel unworthy.

But thank You for reminding us that the story doesn’t end at the cross. Thank You for those three powerful words, He has risen.

Help us to move from guilt into gratitude. Help us to lift our heads and walk in the freedom You gave us. Remind us daily that we are loved, forgiven, and never forgotten. Give us the courage to go and tell others about You, not out of obligation, but out of joy.

And when we start to feel ashamed again, gently remind us of the empty tomb.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.