Before the Council

Responding to Acts 5:27-32

Haiku of account

Daring to preach, heal,

in the temple; arrested,

and called to account.

Detained apostles

are brought before the council;

We told you to stop!

Look what you have done!

the high priest said in anger;

we told you plainly!

You have been preaching

in Jesus' name, and blaming

us for Jesus' death.

We must obey God

rather than you, or any

other human rule.

God raised up Jesus

after you ordered his death.

God's exalted him!

Through him, forgiveness

comes to Israel, for all

who repent their sins.

We are witnesses,

together with the Spirit;

God's gift to his friends

© Ken Rookes 2025 

Much bolder than before

Haiku for preachers

Prisoner Peter,

now much bolder than before,

is charged with preaching.

His resurrection

words are an embarrassment

to temple leaders.

Rulers, elders, scribes

led by the chief priest, and friends,

call him to account.

From where does it come,

your power; and in whose name

have you done this thing?

Peter tells it straight.

You’re questioning a good deed?

A sick man is healed!

‘Tis in Jesus’ name,

the Christ who was crucified.

God raised him to life!

The stone rejected

by you, who were the builders,

is God’s cornerstone.

There is no other

name in heaven or on earth;

he is salvation.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Walking, praising God

Haiku of witness

People came running.

having seen the crippled man

walking, praising God.

Peter points to God.

Such power isn’t from us,

we can’t make him walk!

Abraham, Isaac,

and Jacob; it was their God

who sent us Jesus.

You rejected him,

had him put to death, but God

raised him from the dead.

He was the author

of life, the one in whom all

people find true life.

By faith in Jesus

this man is healed and made strong;

you can all see this.

You and your rulers

were blinded. Prophets told us

the Christ must suffer.

You were ignorant,

now you know. Return to God,

and be forgiven.

© Ken Rookes 2024

In the Areopagus

Haiku of witness

He engaged with them

in the Areopagus;

the apostle Paul.

Paul was most clever,

taking time to understand

Athenian thought.

People of Athens,

I see you are religious;

signs are ev’rywhere.

Objects of worship

abound; even an altar:

To an unknown God.

I am a servant

of your unknown God; let me

tell you of this God.

This God made all things

ruling heaven and earth; God

has no need of shrines.

God gives life to all,

asking only that they seek

God out. God is near.

In God we live, move,

exist. As your poet said:

We are God’s offspring.

A God not fashioned

from human hands, of silver

gold or stone. God lives!

Human ignorance

is no longer an excuse;

repent, come to God!

Judgement is coming

through the man whom God has sent;

God raised him from death.

Ken Rookes 2023

 

Peter, once frightened.

Haiku for witnesses

Peter, once frightened,

no longer fearing to die.

stood before the crowd.

I speak of Jesus,

who came among us with signs

he was sent from God.

You ignored his words

and killed him. But it goes on:

God raised him to life.

Full of life and love;

why should we be surprised that 

death could not hold him?

He was crucified;

now God has raised him from death.

We are witnesses.

© Ken Rookes 2023