Raised with Christ

 

Haiku responding to Col 3:1-4

You've been raised with Christ.

Wow! Think about what that means!

Takes your breath away!

Seek the spiritual,

the things of Jesus, seated

to the right of God.

So focus upon

those things that are eternal,

not the things of earth.

Reckon yourself dead

when it comes to earthly things;

your life is in Christ!

When Christ is revealed

we will be revealed with him,

sharing his glory!

© Ken Rookes 2026

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

Things are different, now.

 

Haiku responding to Colossians 3: 1-11

You've been raised with Christ;

seek the things that are above

with Christ, and with God.

Eschew earthly things.

Seek that which comes from above;

live your risen life.

End earthly desires;

sexual immorality,

evil passions, greed.

Rid yourself of wrath,

malice, anger, slander, and

language of abuse.

Always speak the truth.

You've been renewed, so reflect

the image of God.

No more Greek and Jew,

circumcised and not; slave, free;

Christ is all, in all.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Before all else, Christ.

Responding to Colossians 1:15-28

Haiku

Christ is the image

of the invisible God;

all things came through him.

Thrones and dominions,

rulers, powers; they're nothing,

he comes before all.

He's the beginning,

head of the body, the Church,

firstborn from the dead.

In him God's fullness

was pleased to dwell,

ending estrangement.

Those who were estranged

are now reconciled through Christ,

and find peace with God

Our own sufferings

don't count; We participate

in Christ's afflictions.

We share the myst'ry

of Christ's presence, that we may

find ourselves in Him.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Letters to encourage

Haiku responding to Colossians 1:1-14

Paul, the apostle

writes letters to encourage,

building up the saints.

Grace to you, and peace

from God the Father. We can

almost feel the smile.

Celebrating faith,

affirming the people's love,

along with their hope.

You received the word

of truth, the gospel of life;

it is bearing fruit.

The gospel bore fruit

among you, from the first day

you heard of its grace.

We heard of your love

and keep praying for you, that

you will know wisdom.

May you be made strong,

filled with power, enduring

with patience and joy.

The darkness power

is dismissed, we're living in

the kingdom of Christ.

The inheritance

of the saints is light. It's yours;

live in light's kingdom.

© Ken Rookes 2025