Lyrics
Verse 1
Do you have a list of regrets?
This longer than it’s ever been?
And you’re starting to shake
Under the weight of all your sin
Pre-Chorus
Does your heart feel stuck in the past?
Spend all of your life looking back?
Lies feel like truth
And you wonder if you can start again
Chorus
That’s what the cross is for
Chasing the darkness away
Breaking the bondage of shame
Raising new life from the grave
That’s what the cross is for
If you’re held down by yesterdays
And you wonder how Jesus can save
The person who you were before
That’s what the cross is for
Verse 2
Both of the nails in His hands
Are proof of a Savior who can
Turn in your story from ashes to glory
Again and again
Chorus (Repeat)
That’s what the cross is for
Chasing the darkness away
Breaking the bondage of shame
Raising new life from the grave
That’s what the cross is for
If you’re held down by yesterdays
And you wonder how Jesus can save
The person who you were before
That’s what the cross is for
Bridge
For everyone, for all of time
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
He paid it all, what a sacrifice
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Bringing us new life
That’s what the cross is for
Chorus (Repeat)
Chasing the darkness away
Breaking the bondage of shame
Raising new life from the grave
That’s what the cross is for
If you’re held down by yesterdays
And you wonder how Jesus can save
The person who you were before
That’s what the cross is for
Outro
That’s what the cross is for
That’s what the cross is for
I’m not who I was before
That’s what the cross is for
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“That’s What the Cross Is For” by Cade Thompson speaks to someone weighed down by the past. The first verse asks if the listener has a growing list of regrets and is shaking under the weight of sin. The pre-chorus continues with questions: whether the heart feels stuck in the past, whether lies feel like truth, and whether it is possible to start again.
The chorus answers each question with one line, “That’s what the cross is for.” It says the cross chases darkness away, breaks the bondage of shame and raises new life from the grave, even for those held down by yesterday. The second verse points to the nails in His hands as proof of a Savior who can turn a story from ashes to glory.
The bridge speaks of the precious blood of Jesus Christ and says He paid it all. The outro is first-person: “I’m not who I was before.” The themes are close to Isaiah 61:3, 1 Peter 1:18-19 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. The song is a direct, hopeful answer to guilt.
Related Scripture
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 A new creation in Christ
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ
- Isaiah 61:3 Beauty for ashes