The cost

Haiku for disciples

Think priorities.

Discipleship must come first,

before family.

This is difficult.

Know what you’re getting into

when you answer ‘yes!’

The cross you carry

is an instrument of pain.

You will feel its weight.

Finish what you start.

Sit down, estimate the cost

before you begin.

I have looked ahead,

can see what’s waiting for me;

know who you follow.

Carefully reckon

the cost of discipleship:

follow anyway.

Don’t let anything

keep you from the kingdom path.

Be a disciple.

© Ken Rookes 2019

With time running out

Haiku for decisions

With time running out

Jesus knew that he must go

to Jerusalem.

The company came

to a Samaritan town,

but they were rebuffed.

Why Jerusalem?

If you’re only passing through

don’t bother to stay.

We should punish them;

call down fire! said James and John.

Jesus rebuked them.

I will follow you,

a man said. Foxes have holes,

but I am homeless.

I will follow you,

a man said, but I must wait

for father to die.

The dead must bury

their own. Leave them, you must go

proclaim God’s kingdom.

I will follow you,

but first I must say farewell

to my family.

To plough a straight line

you cannot keep looking back;

likewise the kingdom.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Costing Discipleship

Haiku for intending acolytes.

Large crowds of people

travelled with the carpenter;

learning to follow.

Some went with Jesus

for curiosity's sake,

were yet to commit.

Jesus showed the way,

putting his life on the line

for love and justice.

Carrying the cross.

Try to guess what that might mean.

Will I qualify?

It's a costly thing,

the discipleship journey;

look where you're going.

Building a tower

or going into battle:

know what you're up for.

What will be the cost,

will you have enough to win?

Finish what you start.

Jesus calls us all.

Love's costly work is waiting;

Come with me, he says.

© Ken Rookes 2016

Disciple Haiku

Glows incandescent,

burning-out in the darkness,

passionate with hope.

© Ken Rookes 2012