"He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on the cross!" Philippians 2:8

Sad, but true.  Some folks attempt to bypass the cross because they are reluctant to admit that they need something so drastic to save them.  "I go church.  I pray.  I read the Bible.  That's good enough!"  Some people may wear a cross as ornamentation, but its meaning is bypassed.

Ask this question: "If I were the only person alive on that first Good Friday, would the cross have been necessary?"  The answer is a resounding yes!  "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).  Our life in Christ begins and is renewed only at the cross.  At the cross, God reveals His forgiving and renewing love.

But there is more.  According to Paul's words to the Philippians, the cross was the end result of Jesus' obedience.  Christ's cross applies His obedience to us, putting to death all our self-generated, self-centered agendas and plans, covering them with His own submission to the Father and re-creating them in His image.  Thus John writes, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).  Bypass the cross?  Never!

 From "Portals of Prayer" (c) 2005 by Concordia Publishing House.  Reproduced by permission under license number 07:09-18B.  For ordering information contact Concordia at www.cph.org .