Emperor Nero startled while Peter the Apostle blazed:
The Gospel was not written by human hands. In His plan,
The redemption has been done on earth for every man,
For the greatest mystery is Christ within! The emperor gazed,
For all he knew was earthly power: conquerors who razed
Entire regions – cows, mules, treasure, and the very land,
Where all the booties at hand, did they well command:
Men erased, children enslaved, and women disgraced.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!” Dismayed,
The emperor fell back, wielding his power and swords
Made of gold and steel to defy those rebellious words,
The very words, soon conquering every wild land, made
Every hopeless rejoiced, and comforted every bitter soul—
The womb-warming, lamb-gentle, world-yielding, Gospel.
Gaius Kong, Delaware
