Recovering a View of the Cross

How often do we ponder why the cross was necessary? Do we ever think about how it was our sins that put Him there? That even if we only sinned once, it was enough to cause Him to face death and the abandonment of God?
My guess is, you, like I, do not always take the time to ponder the significance of the cross. Though it is an essential doctrine of faith, it is often not brought home to us as individuals. Often it is construed as Jesus dying for the sins of His people, which is entirely true, but it takes away from the essential message of Jesus dying for our own sins of gossip, idolatry, meanness, envy and lust. And even if we had mastered living an outwardly pure life, how often would we be convicted, tried, and found guilty by God of having an impure thought life? Equally sinful are our thoughts, words and deeds.
C.J.Mahaney makes an excellent point in his book, Living the Cross-Centered Life, that each of us were part of the spiritual 'crowd' that yelled, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" when Pilate offered to free Him over Barabbas.
Each day we make His death necessary, and each day we must realize the abundant mercy of God towards us, His children, in sending His own son, part of Him, to die and face ultimate judgement in separation from God, because He considered us as His own sons. Praise God for His amazing act of mercy and grace towards us!

We may try to wash our hands of responsibility like Pilate,

but our attempt will be futile, as futile as his.

For there is blood on our hands.

John Stott