An unnamed slave girl

Haiku of restoration

An unnamed slave girl

speaks a word of healing hope

in a foreign land.

In Samaria,

a prophet dwells. He could cure

the master’s disease.

General Naaman

gathers his entourage, heads

south, to Israel.

With his king’s letter

he fronts Israel’s monarch,

who totally freaks.

Am I God, he asks,

to cure leprosy? Worried

he’s in for a fight.

Elisha’s informed;

sends word to the king. No probs;

send him here to me.

This man from afar

will learn that there’s a prophet

here in Israel.

Sends a message. Wash

in the Jordan, seven times;

you will be made clean.

He didn’t even

come out to see me! Naaman

is somewhat angry.

We’ve got good rivers

back at home! Take it easy,

his servants respond.

It’s a simple thing.

He told you: Wash, and be clean.

Why not have a go?

He is persuaded.

Seven times in the Jordan,

his flesh is restored.

© Ken Rookes 2022

Handing over

 

Haiku of succession

Succession planning

is a challenge. Elijah

somehow managed it.

I will not leave you

Elisha declared, when his

master’s time drew near.

Gilgal to Bethel,

then to the Jordan they went,

inseparable.

What would you have me

do for you? A double share

of your spirit, please.

As they walked and talked

a chariot descended,

fiery, between them.

Elijah ascends

in the whirlwind, Elisha

calls out: My Father!

Elisha takes up

the fallen mantle, also

the prophet’s worries.

© Ken Rookes 2002

I'm focusing on the Old Testament for a while. For a gospel response, check the archives for a similar time in 2013, 2016 or 2019

Sheer silence

 Haiku for the fearful

Fearful Elijah

receiving Jezebel’s threat,

decides to clear out.

Hiding in a cave

on the holy Mount Horeb

he hears God’s question.

I have done your will,

Lord, and my life is at risk,

so I ran away.

Stand on the mountain,

wait and watch, because the Lord

is about to pass.

In turn, a great wind,

an earthquake and fire surround;

God is not in them.

A sound of silence,

sheer and still, tells Elijah

that the Lord is here.

In silence, stillness,

mystery; God’s voice. Questions;

perhaps some answers.

The question is asked,

and answered. Return, Prophet,

and get on with it.

© Ken Rookes 2022

Therefore

Haiku of faith

Justified by faith!

The Reformation catch-cry.

Thank-you M. Luther!

Works won’t get you there.

But works of love must follow

the great work of grace.

We enter the realm

of grace through Jesus the Christ,

finding peace with God.

Discipleship brings

suffering. We endure it;

we grow and we hope.

Not wealth or blessings,

but sufferings. Boast in these;

they show you’re from God.

Endurance and hope

stem from love, poured into hearts

by the Holy Ghost.

© Ken Rookes 2022

Promise (Holy Spirit)

Haiku for Pentecost

The works that I do,

John’s Jesus assures us, should

be enough for faith.

The works that he does

show his close relationship

with God, his Father.

The works that he does

will also be done, John says,

by those who believe.

Ask me anything,

Jesus says, I will do it.

All to God’s glory!

Show that you love me.

by keeping my commandments.

I’ll send my Spirit.

The Spirit of truth

is sent to stand beside you,

recalling my words..

John’s Jesus is sure,

full of authority, joined

and equal with God.

Peace: his parting gift

to his friends. Don’t be troubled,

do not be afraid.

© Ken Rookes 2022

 

Jesus is praying

Haiku of unity

Jesus is praying.

He prays for those who follow:

May we all be one.

Divine indwelling:

You in me and I in you;

may they dwell in us.

This deep unity,

purposed at creation’s core;

let nothing divide.

It’s all about love,

generosity ruling

all human dealings.

He knows his Father,

revealing God’s name of Love,

to all who listen.

Jesus’ rule of love,

given to direct our lives

and join us as one.

© Ken Rookes 2022

 

Hope

Hope

Haiku of encouragement

Revelation’s book:

words to bring hope, encourage,

when all presses in.

The Lord returns soon

to reward and to repay

those who act with faith.

Alpha, Omega,

the first and the last; Jesus

bringing fulfilment.

Wedding images,

speaking of consummation

and invitation.

If you are thirsty

receive the water of life.

Come! It is God’s gift.

He did not come soon.

There must be deeper meaning

in these words of hope.

Come Lord! is their cry.

But is he still to come, or

already with us?

© Ken Rookes 2022

 

Pool of healing

Haiku of entry

In Jerusalem,

by the sheep gate; Beth-zatha

a pool of healing.

Beside Beth-zatha

pool, many invalids lie,

blind, lame, paralysed.

 

 

Ill thirty-eight years.

Jesus asks his strange question:

Would you be made well?

When the angel stirs

the water, I am too slow;

others enter first.

Stand, take your mat. Walk!

The man was made well, and walked.

It was the sabbath.

Rules have been broken.

Love brings healing and wholeness.

Let’s keep breaking rules.

© Ken Rookes 2022

The ones who love me

 

The ones who love me

Haiku for the faithful

The ones who love me,

they are those who hear my words,

who do what I say.

By your love you show

that you are mine, by keeping

my command to love.

Those who keep my word

are loved by God. We will come,

make our home with them.

Those who do not love,

who fail to keep my commands,

don’t belong to God.

I am with you still.

Soon I’ll be gone; the Spirit

will come in my name.

The Spirit speaks truth,

continues my work of peace.

Peace I leave with you.

I must go away,

to the Father; I return

to you as Spirit.

You love me: rejoice!

The new thing God is doing

is coming to pass!

© Ken Rookes 2022

Nothing else; only love.

 

Haiku of the essence

The new commandment:

as ancient as time itself,

as new as the dawn.

In love, self-giving,

in sacrifice and in death

God’s glory is found.

My children, shortly

I will be gone. You will search,

but you won’t find me.

Where I am going

you are not able to come.

I give you one rule.

Love one another,

in the same way that I love

you, you are to love.

One thing, nothing else;

by your love you will be known

as my disciples.

Being ruled by love

will be proof that you are mine.

Nothing else, just love.

© Ken Rookes 2022

At one

 

Haiku for the flock

It is wintertime

in Solomon’s portico.

They come to Jesus.

Delay no longer,

answer us plainly: Are you

he, the Christ from God?

Why are you asking?

I have told you already;

you will not believe.

The works that I do

are done in my Father’s name;

you cannot see it.

You do not belong

to my sheep. My sheep can hear

my voice. I know them.

My sheep follow me.

I give them life eternal,

they will not perish.

My Father gives them

to me; my sheep. The Father

and I are at one.

Ken Rookes 2022