One body

Haiku responding to 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

When we say Jesus

is Lord, it's by the Spirit;

God's Spirit in us.

The Spirit gives gifts

to us all; they are many,

they are different.

Many ways to serve;

the same Lord is served. The same

God calls us to serve.

Ev'ry gift we have

comes from the Holy Spirit,

for the common good.

To the one, wisdom;

to others, knowledge, to yet

another, healing.

To some faith, deeds of

power, prophetic speaking,

spiritual judgement.

To one, various

languages, and to others,

interpretation.

Each various gift

comes from the Spirit, chosen

by that same Spirit.

Human bodies with

many members are still one

body: so with Christ.

Baptised into Christ;

Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free,

one in the Spirit.

© Ken Rookes 2026

Be steadfast

Haiku responding to 1 Pt 4:12-14, 5:6-11

There's some heavy stuff

going down; it will test you,

this fiery ordeal.

Rejoice as you share

Christ's sufferings, you'll then be glad

to see his glory.

If you are reviled

for Christ's sake, you'll be blessed; God's

Spirit rests on you.

Be humble, trust God.

When the right time has arrived

you'll be exalted.

Do you feel worried?

Bring all your anxieties

to your God who cares.

Discipline yourselves,

be alert. Confront evil,

be steadfast in faith.

Sisters and brothers

all around the world, suffer

because of their faith.

You suffer for now;

the God of grace will restore

you and make you strong.

© Ken Rookes 2026

Of course!

 Of course!

Blessed, he said, are the peacemakers;

we'll call them God's children.

And the ones who show mercy, kindness;

they will receive mercy.

Sell everything, give it to the poor.

And while you're there, bring them to the banquet.

Seven is never enough;

you must forgive seventy-seven times.

Blessed are the meek,

the earth belongs to them.

Again he spoke.

It's like a mustard seed

growing large to provide a home.

No, I won't condemn you. Go;

turn your life around.

Love.

Each other, your neighbours;

your enemies, too.

Put your sword away.

Swords are for those who are perishing.

You are to be servants.

He told them: I didn't come for the good guys;

I came for the others.

Rich people? They probably won't make it.

Sad, but it will be their choice.

You are forgiven.

Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.

They turned up late. It's OK.

Pay them the full wage, anyway.

Yes, we all know he messed up big-time;

he still belongs. Don't stay outside;

join the party, give him a hug.

Of course it hurts; Heaps!

Don't hold it against them.

Jesus. The woke leftie.

Try not to be offended.

Ken Rookes 2026

Christ also suffered

Haiku responding to 1 Pt 3:13-22

Can anyone harm

you if you eagerly do

those things that are good?

But if you suffer

for doing what is right, you

are blessed. Do not fear.

Live out Christ's lordship,

being always ready to

account for your hope.

Speak with gentleness,

keep your conscience clear; then none

can abuse your name.

Better to suffer

for good deeds than for evil.

God will be with you.

Christ also suffered;

the righteous for unrighteous,

bringing us to God.

He died in the flesh,

came alive in the spirit,

proclaimed hope for all.

Only eight were saved

by the ark through the waters;

baptism saves all.

It's not the cleansing

that saves; Christ's resurrection

achieves God's favour.

© Ken Rookes 2026 

Cornerstone

Haiku responding to 1 Pt 2:2-10

You've been born anew.

Like infants, seek spiritual

milk that comes from God.

You know God is good.

You've tasted God's love, grow now

into salvation.

Jesus, the living

stone, rejected by mortals,

precious in God's sight.

You are living stones,

come, be built with him into

a spiritual house.

Scriptures say that God

lays a cornerstone for us;

we are to trust him.

Those who don't believe

stumble on the cornerstone,

disobey God's word.

You're chosen people,

a royal priesthood, holy,

called to be God's own.

Proclaim God's mighty

acts; God calls you from darkness

into wondrous light.

Once you were nothing,

now you are God's people; now

you know God's mercy.

© Ken Rookes 2026

For this you have been called

Haiku responding to 1 Pt 2:19-25

Being God aware,

you do well to endure pain,

unjust suffering.

If you endure when

you suffer for doing right,

God approves of you.

We're called to follow

Christ who also suffered; He

is your example.

Jesus did not sin,

he spoke truth; he was abused

but returned it not.

Christ trusted in God,

knowing that God is a judge

who is always just.

He carried our sins

in his body, opening

our way to healing.

Like sheep we had strayed,

now the shepherd welcomes us

back, and guards our souls.

© Ken Rookes 2026

Betraying

 

Christianity

betraying Jesus; cheering

on killings and war.

Ken Rookes 2026

More than sacrifice

 Haiku responding to 1 Pt 1:17-23

Parent God judges

all according to their deeds;

live accordingly.

Ransom metaphor.

Not all that helpful today;

to whom was it paid?

Sacrifices made

for sin. An ancient concept;

do we still need it?

More than sacrifice,

Jesus' bloody death speaks love,

costly and giving.

Before ev'rything,

God's plan for us was life, full

and true, through Jesus

Through him we trust God

who raised Jesus from the dead,

and find faith and hope.

Obeying the truth

our souls have been purified;

and we're joined in love.

© Ken Rookes 2026

A living hope

 

A living hope

Haiku responding to 1 Pt 1:3-9

Blessed be the God

who is Father of our Lord;

Jesus, who is Christ.

By God's mercy, we

are born to a living hope

through Jesus' rising.

Our inheritance

does not perish or fade; it

is kept in heaven.

God's power protects

us, through faith; we shall be saved,

when the last day comes.

Rejoice! Though suff'ring

and trials are yours at this time,

they prove your faith true.

Your faith is precious,

more than gold tested by fire;

it brings much honour.

Your faith will bring praise

honour and glory when Christ

Jesus is revealed.

You have not seen him,

still you love him; you believe

and rejoice in him.

This glorious joy

is the outcome of your faith;

your soul's salvation.

© Ken Rookes 2026

What is required

 

Haiku for Easter