Matthew 16:21-26

Oh how we would love to have
according to our schedule
the world laid out in perfect rows
giving us the choice of this or that
free from any harm
or responsibility
to face the happy ending
in half an hour complete with commercials
Never Lord
was the cry of the Rock
on whose recent confession
the church would stand
Never shall I allow you to go
to the cross
death
new life
Never
shall the designs of humanity
freely allow the
Freedom of the Cross
to enter in
Never shall we know of the kingdom
on our own
without the Christ breaking in
and replacing our inward gaze
With the light and hope of His love.