Clothe yourselves in Christ

 

Haiku responding to Romans 13:11-14

There's no time to waste;

get on with it. Wake up now,

there's much to be done.

Salvation is near;

it draws closer ev'ry day

since we have believed.

The night is far gone,

The day is near. Let us, then,

throw off the darkness.

Let's discard the works

of darkness and let's put on

the armour of light.

Let us live decent

lives; sober, pure, and without

envy or quarrels.

Put the flesh aside;

don't gratify it's desires.

Clothe yourselves in Christ.

© Ken Rookes 2025

The firstborn

Haiku responding to Col 1:11-20

May you be made strong

through Christ; and may you endure

all things with patience.

Joyfully thank God,

through whom you share, with the saints,

blessings most divine.

You have been rescued,

freed from darkness to find life

in Jesus' kingdom.

God, invisible,

is seen in Jesus, firstborn

of all creation.

He is the centre

of ev'rything in heaven

and upon the earth.

Jesus comes before

all else, through Jesus all things

are held together.

He's head of the church,

the beginning; God's fullness

is found in Jesus.

Through Jesus, all things

are reconciled to God. Peace

is made real in him.

© Ken Rookes 2025

We worked hard

Haiku responding to 2 Thes 3:6-13

A bit judgey, Paul,

inviting separation

from the idle ones!

They were expecting

Jesus' return any day;

staying home from work!

We worked hard, says Paul,

when we were with you; feeding

ourselves, not bludging.

We weren't without rights

to be fed; instead we chose

to toil, night and day

Didn't want to be

a burden. An example

for you to follow.

Remember we said,

those who won't work should not eat.

Harsh? Yes, but needed.

Exhort the idle

in Jesus' name: Be at work,

earn your own living.

Brothers and sisters,

you must never grow weary

doing what is right.

© Ken Rookes 2025

You have been called

Haiku responding to 2 Thes 2:1-5, 13-17

How to interpret

these ancient scriptures? Surely

not literally!

As to the coming

of the Lord, some are saying

that day has arrived.

Do not be alarmed;

troubled times must come ere Christ

gathers us to him

See the lawless one

exalting himself above

all. Makes himself God.

While I was with you

I told you all of these things;

don't you remember?

We give thanks to God

that God chose you, the first fruits

of God's salvation.

God has purposed this

proclamation of good news

and you have been called.

We proclaimed good news!

You heard, are bound for glory

through our Lord Jesus.

Sisters and brothers

stand firm; keep the traditions

that we taught to you.

May our Lord Jesus,

with God who loved us, strengthen

you in doing good.

© Ken Rookes 2025