Reflections from Pastor John Cao is a series of poetry and writings from the recently released Chinese Christian prisoner of conscience exclusively published by ChinaAid. The pieces below were written on May 4, 2024 and has been minimally edited for clarity. To read more of Pastor John Cao’s poetry, one can purchase the collection written while he was imprisoned, Living Lyrics: Poems from Prison.
An Ode to John the Baptist
Evading none, hiding from none, he preached with integrity,
Paving the way, baptizing, calling people to the riverside[1].
For righteousness, he could lose his head[2],
Witnessing the resurrection, his heart was content and glad[3].
Notes:
- Referring to John baptizing people in the Jordan River.
- King Herod beheaded John.
- Witnessing the resurrection: see Matthew 11:5.
John the Baptist did not run away or hide; instead, he preached the gospel with openness and integrity. As a forerunner, he called people to the riverside to receive the baptism. For the sake of righteousness, he was willing to lose his head and shed his blood. He witnessed the resurrection and felt content and joyful in his heart.
Go and Reap
A reflection on John 4:35-38.
The fields are white, a bountiful sight,
Lazy ones make excuses, saying “four more months”.
What’s the church’s greatest regret?
When the Lord’s compassionate call goes unanswered.
Blood and Sweat Solidify the Sand
A reflection on John 4:35-38.
A Chu prisoner stuck in Yunnan, the price paid is small[1],
Waves of white ripple with the blowing wind[2].
The kingdom in my heart, the work of the King of kings[3],
Sitting and enjoying the millennium stele with my peers[4].
Blood and sweat solidify the sand, paving near and far[5],
The mind and wisdom guided by the Scriptures, losses and gains matter not[6].
Swords forged into plowshares, wolves and lambs lie together[7],
Joyfully imagining piles of soybeans and millet[8].
Notes:
- Chu prisoner: a person from Hunan, referring to myself. Stuck in Yunnan: detained in Yunnan, meaning being imprisoned.
- Waves of white: referring to the ripening of crops.
- King of kings: referring to Jesus.
- Peers: referring to fellow brothers and sisters.
- We use our blood and sweat to solidify sand and gravel, paving the way for the Lord Jesus near and far.
- This line means: the Scriptures guide our hearts and minds, and we don’t place much importance on material gains and losses.
- See Isaiah 2:4: “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” And Isaiah 11:6: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat.”
- Piles, indicating a bountiful harvest.
As a prisoner from Hunan detained in Yunnan, the price I’ve paid is not really that great. Right now, the crops are swaying in the wind, a scene of an abundant harvest. My heart is filled with the kingdom of God and the cause of the Lord Jesus. Everyone has worked hard and diligently to sow, yet I sit and enjoy the fruits of their labor, together completing this millennia-spanning endeavor. Together, we use our blood and sweat to mix cement, sand, and stone, paving roads far and near. We use our hearts and minds to follow the guidance of the Bible, thus taking lightly the matter of gain or loss. We will usher in the most beautiful world, where there will be no more war, and people of all nations will live together in peace. I am filled with joy as I imagine the great harvest.
Son's Yearning for Scripture
Written by my mother.
Hungry and thirsty, yearning for righteousness, longing to read the scriptures,
To satisfy my son, I tirelessly copy the verses.
Diligently, like the ancient scholars returning to the past,
The mother’s words are even more listened to by the Heavenly Father.
Daily reciting and meticulously recording,
Monthly adding and gradually overflowing.
In prison, studying with a different kind of joy,
Mastering special skills, walking the narrow path.
The Journey
I encountered Christianity when I was in college. At that time, I met Dr. Wu from the People’s Hospital who shared the gospel with me. In that era, there were neither churches nor Bibles. He started my journey of life.
Naive and young, following the call,
Stumbling along the way, the Lord never abandons.
Can hardships separate us from the great love?[1]
The Holy Spirit continuously anoints within.
Notes:
- See Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
I was very naive and ignorant about the meaning of life, but I simply followed the Lord’s call. Along this journey, I often stumbled, but the Lord Jesus never abandoned me. No matter how difficult the path of faith is, it cannot separate us from the great love of Christ. The Holy Spirit continuously flows into and anoints my soul.
Defending Life
Indulged in the path of desire for twenty years[1],
Grace suddenly descends, absolving sins[2].
The Lord’s Spirit guides every moment[3],
Congregants on both sides diligently strengthen[4].
Peter travels thousands of miles in a dream[5],
John’s seventh letter on the book[6].
The true way always needs life’s defense,
Standing satisfied and joyful before the throne[7].
Notes:
- Desire: lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes, etc.
- Sins: wickedness.
- Lord’s Spirit: the Holy Spirit.
- Congregants: brothers and sisters in the church.
- Dream: refers to Peter’s out-of-body experience, see Acts 11:5-14.
- See Revelation 1:11: “… Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches.”
- Throne: Jesus’ throne.
I was immersed in the path of desire for twenty years, and suddenly grace descended and forgave all my sins. The Lord’s Spirit guides me forward every second, and the brothers and sisters tirelessly strengthen me on my left and right. Like Peter, I have received a heavenly vision, leading me to advance towards the earth, and like John, I want to connect with churches everywhere. God’s true way always needs believers to defend it with their lives. In the end, I stand satisfied and joyful before the throne of the Lord Jesus.
Praise for New Energy
Smiling, embrace the gale, stand tall on the crest of waves,
Humbly gather light on the barren edge.
The saintly, beautiful core silently transforms,
Illuminating the dark, warming the human realm.
The wind turbines smile as they face the storm, standing on the crest of the ocean waves. The solar panels lie low in the desolate wilderness, gathering sunlight there. The saintly heart silently transforms the collected energy, ultimately emitting light to brighten the darkness and warm the human world.
Not Appeared
When I was serving time in prison, every day was filled with joy. The only thing that makes me feel dejected is when my mother sets a date to come see me, but it ends up being cancelled last minute due to the pandemic.
Anxious and troubled, you did not appear at the appointed time,
Pondering and wondering, silently swallowing tears.
With a tranquil heart, I pray for the pandemic to disperse,
For the high walls to crumble, and finally receive comfort.
You were unable to appear on time, which made me worried. I pondered and wondered, not knowing what reason had hindered you. Later, I calmed down and prayed for the pandemic to disappear and for the high walls to completely crumble, ultimately receiving comfort.
Untitled
Written by my mother.
Five years my filial son has lost his freedom,
His voice and countenance constantly surround my heart.
Like a hero, he swiftly answered the call to the front line,
A saint diligently tilling to cultivate good soil.
The difficult years have not been spent in vain,
His joyful words still flow abundantly.
The Lord’s right hand deeply chisels this humble servant,
After two more years, he will travel to the ends of the earth.