In this sermon by Basilia Schlink titled "The Mystery of the Cross," she explores the two faces of the cross. To some, the cross represents suffering, judgment, and death, while to others, it gleams like gold. The key to understanding the mystery of the cross lies in comprehending that Jesus is love. Jesus willingly took up the cross and became the Son of Man, sacrificing his power and glory for us. By embracing our own crosses and saying yes to God, we can experience unimaginable joy, fruit, and glory, just as Jesus promised to repay his true cross bearers a hundred times over. The cross is the key that opens heaven, and Jesus longs for followers who will join him in penetrating the mystery of the cross and building his kingdom.

God lives and works today, but is he real for each one of us in every situation? Is he real for those among us who must bear a heavy burden or a cross? For those whose lives are marked by grief or suffering? Listen to today's meditation by Basilia Schlenk called The Mystery of the Cross. There's a wonderful secret about the cross. It's as if there were a veil around the cross which few people ever remove. It's as if the cross had two faces. To some people, it looks gray and black. It speaks of suffering, judgment, and death. But to others, it seems to gleam like gold. The mystery of the cross and its two faces has to do with our Lord Jesus, he who died on the cross. Only when we comprehend that Jesus is love, only love, can we comprehend the mystery of the cross. Jesus could have remained with the Father in heaven in eternal joy, but he became the Son of Man. He gave up his power and glory and took the cross upon his shoulders. For us, too, the cross means suffering. It means literally being crossed out. Our wishes and our will may be crossed out. Or our health or happiness may be crossed out. With God, however, as we see by Jesus' life, there is no cross, no disappointment that is not followed by a resurrection. If we take the same attitude towards our cross that Jesus took towards his, that is, if we say, then God will use our cross to give us something much greater and more beautiful than we could ever imagine. Let us tell our Lord Jesus, Jesus has many bystanders, but he has only a few friends who join with him to penetrate the mystery of the cross, few disciples who praise God for their cross. Jesus is longing for such followers. With them he can build his kingdom, for fruit comes from carrying the cross. Jesus can make his cross-bearers truly happy, for the cross is the key that opens heaven. Let us commit ourselves to Jesus to become his cross-bearers. On this pathway we will find unimaginable joy, fruit, and glory. And Jesus promises to repay his true cross-bearers a hundred times over. Yes, to them he gives overflowing divine life for now and for all eternity. You have been listening to a program written by Basileus Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you!