This Gospel Treasure

Haiku for earthen vessels

God’s grace brings us here;

though all should come against us

we will not lose heart.

Embarrassing things,

things that are best kept secret;

we put them aside.

Children of the truth,

rejoicing in the gospel

shining with its light.

Some refuse to see.

For them the light is fearful,

there is no knowledge.

This gospel treasure;

we hold it in the clay pots

of our earthly lives.

What treasure we hold,

what honour God has bestowed!

How shall we use it?

We are afflicted

but not crushed or despairing,

we bear Jesus’ life.

So death is at work

in us. But life, full and free

is at work in you.

Our outer being

falls away, our inner life

is renewed each day.

What can be seen, fades,

gives way to the eternal;

look upon these things.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Posted in response to the Narrative Lectionary for the 26th July 2020

In earthen vessels

Haiku for the humble

We have this treasure,

the apostle asserted,

in earthen vessels.

These common clay pots,

plain and undecorated,

hold the light of Christ.

Humble followers,

nothing special about us;

yet he shines within.

Proclaim him as Lord,

for truly he is the one

God has sent to us.

The light that we bear

is knowledge of God’s Glory

seen in Jesus’ face.

We are afflicted,

persecuted and struck down,

but we are not crushed.

We have been perplexed

but not driven to despair,

nor are we alone.

Bearers of the death

of Jesus in our bodies,

his life is here, too.

As long as we live

his death is at work in us;

to shape and renew.

© Ken Rookes 2018