Monday, March 18, 2024

Haiku of the Passion (Mark)

 

Haiku of the Passion (Mark)


They plotted his death

Wait ‘til the festival’s passed,

avoid a riot.


Bethany’s perfume

poured out over Jesus’ head.

Anticipation.


Why was it not sold

for the poor? She has done this

ahead of my death.


The passover meal.

This is my body, broken;

my blood spilt for you.


Even must I die

I will not desert you, Lord.

Is that so, Peter?


In Gethsemane,

three disciples, asked to watch.

Weariness prevails.


Can’t you stay awake?

Your spirits may be willing,

but your flesh is weak.


He is arrested,

and led away to be tried.

They all run from him.


The verdict: guilty

of blasphemy. The sentence:

inevitable.


His fate is confirmed

by Pilate, he is beaten,

mocked, led out to die.


Lifted on a cross.

The mob mentality rules;

the mocking persists.


The sign above reads,

This is the king of the Jews.

He cries out, and dies.


© Ken Rookes 2024

Entrance

Haiku of anticipation


Approaching the Mount

named for olives, Jesus sends

two of them ahead.


Bethpage, Bethany?

Whatever; the next village.

They found the donkey.


They explain: The Lord

needs it, he will send it back

when he is finished.


Jesus rode to town.

(What does he think he’s doing?

A royal entrance?)


The people spread cloaks,

branches on the road ahead

to welcome their king.


Hosanna! Blessed

is he who comes in God’s name!

Quite a sensation.


Hosanna, O son

of David! Expectations

are heightened, somewhat.


Came to the temple.

Jesus entered, looked about.

Being late, he left.


© Ken Rookes 2024

Monday, March 11, 2024

A new covenant

Haiku of recommencement


Broken covenants;

a sad record of failure

and good intentions.


Not much success here:

promises of blessing, but

failed obligations.


Trust and faithfulness,

obedience to the law,

are what God expects


Just as a husband

cares for his wife, so the Lord

cares for God’s people.


A new covenant

is needed, the other ones

haven’t worked at all.


A new covenant

with Israel and Judah;

this time it will work!


I will put my law

within them; they’ll know, ‘twill be

written in their hearts.


They’ll be my people,

all of them, they will know me.

They won’t need teaching.


I will be their God,

forgiving iniquity,

forgetting their sin.


© Ken Rookes 2024


Monday, March 4, 2024

Healing and life

Haiku for those who grumble


The people grumbled,

impatient with their progress,

circling Edom.


Why have you brought us

out of Egypt, to die here,

in the wilderness?


No food, no water;

we detest the stuff we eat,

this pitiful food!


God was not impressed,

sending poisonous serpents

to bite the people.


Many people died.

They learned their lesson, saying,

sorry, we have sinned.


Moses prayed to God.

God answered: The serpents stay,

but no one need die.


Mount a bronze serpent,

on a pole. Those bitten shall

look on it and live.


It happened like this:

Those who looked upon the snake

found healing and life.


© Ken Rookes 2024

Monday, February 26, 2024

Decalogue

Haiku for living well


Moses reports back

to the people, having spent

time in God’s presence.


Ten words from the Lord.

The first: God is one; you shall

have no other gods.


The Lord rescued you

from slavery in Egypt.

You need none other.


Respect the Lord’s name,

don’t misuse, speak it loosely,

God will be angry.


One day in seven

shall be a sabbath; no one

should work on that day.


In the story told

of how the world came to be,

God himself took rest.


When people grow old

that doesn’t mean they’re useless;

honour your parents.


You shall not murder.

Be faithful in your marriage.

Don’t steal from others.


Always be truthful.

Don’t lie to seek advantage

over your neighbour.


Don’t waste energy

covetting what isn’t yours;

it gets you nowhere.


© Ken Rookes 2024

Monday, February 19, 2024

You are Abraham

Haiku of promise


Ninety-nine years old;

granted private audience

with the Almighty.


Walk well before me,

be blameless, Mister Abram,

I’ll bless you, God said.


Let’s make covenant:

walk well before me, I’ll make you

numerous and great.


Abram fell, humbled.

You’ll father many nations;

you’ll have a new name.


You are Abraham,

your wife will be called Sarah;

she’ll bear you a son.


I will bless you both;

nations shall rise from you. My

covenant shall stand.


Covenants have two

sides: to receive the blessings

one must act justly.


© Ken Rookes 2024

Sunday, February 11, 2024

The bow in the clouds

Haiku of hope



God spoke to Noah

and family. This is it!

A new beginning!



I make covenant

with you, your children, and all

the creatures on earth.



I promise, Never

again shall I send a flood

to destroy the earth!



I give you a sign:

a bow in the clouds will mark

this new agreement.



When the clouds cover

the earth, the bow reminds me

of our covenant.



All creatures take note:

No more will the waters flood

to destroy all flesh!



The bow in the clouds

speaks of this covenant, made

with all creation.



God pledges to not

destroy the earth; humankind

makes no such promise!



© Ken Rookes 2024

Monday, February 5, 2024

Elijah is taken up

Haiku for a succession


The aging prophet,

Elijah, was on the move;

Gilgal to Bethal.


He told Elisha,

Wait here. No, said his junior,

I will not leave you.


The local prophets

announce: This day your master

will depart! I know.


The action repeats.

Bethel, Jericho and Jordan;

they all have a go.


Rolling his mantle

Elijah struck the water.

The Jordan parted.


The old prophet asked

Elisha, Make a request

before I depart.


A double portion

of your spirit! That my friend

is quite a big ask.


If you can see me

as I am taken from you,

it will be granted.


Chariot, horses

of fire separated them;

and then the whirlwind.


Father, my father!

he cried, as the old prophet

ascended on high.


© Ken Rookes 2024

Monday, January 29, 2024

Behold, God's wonder.

Haiku for the weary



Gaze at creation,

the prophet-poet declares;

behold God’s wonder!



From earth’s foundations

the evidence has been there

for the Lord’s glory.



God who stretches out

the heavens like a curtain

makes kings seem as nought.



Like new plantings, sown,

taking root; God breathes on them.

They wither to dust.



None can equal God.

Look at the stars, how they shine;

God made, named each one.



O people of God,

surely you know that nothing

is hid from God’s eyes.



God is eternal,

beyond our comprehension;

the unsearchable.



God upholds the faint

and strengthens the powerless;

never grows weary.



Even youths will faint

and grow weary; and the young

will fall, exhausted.



Those who trust in God

shall rise on wings, like eagles,

They will not tire.



© Ken Rookes 2024


Monday, January 22, 2024

Send us prophets, God.

Haiku for those who listen



Deuteronomy.

the second book of the law;

Moses speaks for God.



God will raise for you

a prophet, a bit like me;

make sure you listen.



You can’t come too close;

God’s glory overwhelms you.

Prophets stand between.



I’ll raise up for them

a prophet like you, Moses.

I’ll give him my words.

  


Those who won’t listen

to the prophet’s words, my words;

I’ll hold to account.



A prophet who speaks

words I have not commanded,

that prophet shall die.



Many false prophets

speak words that are not from God;

will they be punished?



Well beyond the church

people speak of justice, truth;

are they prophets, too?



© Ken Rookes 2023

Haiku of the Passion (Mark)

  Haiku of the Passion (Mark) They plotted his death Wait ‘til the festival’s passed, avoid a riot. Bethany’s perfume poured ou...