No Condemnation

Haiku responding to Rom 8:1-11

No condemnation

now for those who are in Christ;

freed through the Spirit.

The Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus sets you free

from the law of death.

God has done what Law,

made weak through damaged flesh, was

unable to do.

God sent his own Son

in the guise of sinful flesh

to straighten out sin.

Law has been sorted

for us. We walk not as flesh,

we live through Spirit.

Those who live by flesh

are focused on flesh; the flesh

is the way of death.

Live by the Spirit!

Think upon the Spirit; this

leads to life and peace.

The mind set on flesh

is hostile to God; such as

these cannot please God.

You are not of flesh.

Since God's Spirit dwells in you

you're in the Spirit.

Without the Spirit

we do not belong to Christ.

But Christ is in you

The body is dead

because of sin; the Spirit

gives life, makes righteous.

God who raised Jesus

from death, gives your bodies life,

gives you his Spirit.

© Ken Rookes 2026

Who will rescue me?

 Haiku responding to Romans 7: 15 - 25

I don't understand

myself, struggle to do good;

I do things I hate.

I struggle under

law, no longer in control.

The sin in me rules.

In my fleshly self

there is no good. I want good

but I can't do it.

I don't do the good;

don't want to do the evil

I end up doing.

I cannot escape

the sin that dwells within me;

as if it's a law.

In my inmost self

I delight in God's law, but

my mind keeps losing.

I am a captive

of the law of sin that dwells

and rules my members.

I feel so wretched!

This body of death grips tight;

who will rescue me?

Yes! It is Jesus

Christ our Lord who rescues me!

I give thanks to God!

© Ken Rookes 2026

An understanding mind

 Haiku for a succession

David’s reign ended

with his death; he was buried

in Jerusalem.

His rule had been long,

forty years in all. His reign

brought stability.

Solomon followed

David as king.. We are told

that he loved the Lord.

Seeking God’s favour,

Solomon burns incense, makes

many offerings.

God speaks in a dream.

What do you ask of me, now

that you reign as king?

Solomon answers:

You were good to my father;

look upon my youth.

I would rule wisely

and govern well; grant me an

understanding mind.

The Lord is well pleased.

You asked for wisdom; granted,

you’ll have it in spades.

As well a wisdom

I’ll give you honour and wealth;

there’ll be none like you.

I’ll give you long life,

too, if you walk in my ways,

like your father did.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Absalom, my son!

 

Haiku of a father’s love.

Absalom rebelled

against his Father, reaching

out to grab the throne.

Much blood had been spilled.

David’s forces were winning;

Spare my son, he said.

The battle was fierce,

the slaughter, great. Absalom

flees upon his mule.

Hanging by his hair,

Absalom’s enemies come;

show him no mercy.

They bring a report

to David: May all your foes

be like that young man!

He retreats, weeping.

Absalom, my son! I would

have died in your place!

© Ken Rookes 2024

It is not for you

Haiku for an ending

Moses has grown old.

Years of desert wanderings

end at Mt Nebo.

Look upon the land,

says God: Gilead, Ephraim,

Jericho, Judah.

I swore to Jacob,

Isaac and Abraham, this

land is for their heirs.

It is not for you.

I show it to you, but, no;

you shall not cross there.

Weary, but fulfilled,

he has seen the promised land;

Moses is at rest.

Moses, God’s servant,

was buried in Moab; his

grave remains unmarked.

He was unequalled

in signs and wonders; knowing

the Lord face to face.

Israel’s new leader

is Joshua; wise, chosen

by Moses and God.

© 2023 Ken Rookes

It is the passover of the Lord

Haiku of readiness

God instructs Moses,

 

also his brother, Aaron,

 

there, in Egypt land.

You shall mark the year

 

from this month. On the tenth day

 

the action begins.

 

Tell all your people

 

to take a lamb, one per home;

 

or you can share it.

 

On the fourteenth day,

 

at twilight, all Israel

 

must slaughter their lambs.

 

Take some of the blood,

 

paint it on the doorposts and

 

lintels of your homes

 

Eat the roasrted lamb

 

with unleavened bread and herbs.

 

Eat all; burn the rest.

 

Eat it, fully clothed,

 

with sandaled feet, staff at hand;

 

ready to depart.

 

A terrible thing;

 

God is passing through Egypt,

 

killing all firstborn.

 

The blood is a sign;

 

death will pass over your house

 

when God sees the blood.

 

A remembrance day:

 

celebrate it ev’ry year.

 

God’s deliverance

 

A terrible tale

 

unless you’re on the winning

 

side; then you rejoice!

 

© Ken Rookes 2023

The finish

Haiku of the passion

An unnamed person

gives them a room to gather

for the special meal.

Sitting with his friends.

I shall not eat in this way

until the kingdom.

Take and share this cup;

I shall drink from it no more

‘til the kingdom comes.

Giving thanks, he broke

the bread, gave it to his friends:

This is my body.

They were arguing;

Who is the greatest? He spoke:

The greatest must serve.

The garden, praying.

Father, if it be your will,

take this cup from me.

They arrested him.

In the dark courtyard, Peter

denies his master.

You are a prophet!

Guards mock the blindfolded man:

Tell us who struck you!

The leaders ask him;

Are you the Christ? My answer

won’t matter; why ask?

Herod returns him

in a purple robe. Justice

is not his concern.

Pilate must decide.

For expedience, the man

receives his sentence.

Barabbas walks free.

He has drawn the lucky card.

Jesus stands condemned.

There, beyond the walls

he is crucified. Thieves form

a cruel symmetry.

Words of mockery

are met with words of welcome

and grace. The man dies.

© Ken Rookes 2022