Lesson of the Cross

by John Miner

Background
Years ago, our church small group was reading “Ultimate Intention” by DeVern Fromke. At the end of chapter 10, “The Call to Impossible Living”, this poem, written in 1896 by John Gregory Mantle, is fully quoted.
Luke 9:23-24

“Oh, sacred union with the Perfect Mind,
Transcendent bliss, which Thou alone canst give;
How blest are they this Pearl of Price who find,
And, dead to earth, have learnt in Thee to live.

Thus, in Thine arms of love, O God, I lie.
Lost, and for ever lost to all but Thee.
My happy soul, since it hath learnt to die,
Hath found new life in Thine infinity.

Go then, and learn this lesson of the Cross,
And tread the way that saints and prophets trod;
Who, counting life and self and all things loss,
Have found in inward death the life of God.”

As I read this poem for the first time, I could almost hear the melody that has come to enliven these words. It was a special moment. This song is a constant reminder and challenge to me of how to live.

Acoustic guitar – John Miner
Piano – Keith Kopatz
Bass – Keith Kopatz
Electric guitar – Keith Kopatz
Vocals – John Miner

3:20

Lesson Of The Cross

John Miner