I have a wife, and…I read her letters to me.

Not just her letters.  I save every e-mail, text message, online chat record.  Everything she ever wrote to me I keep, and go back and read and re-read it because she wrote it for me.

At the beginning, I would read it over and over looking for deeper meaning.  “What did she mean by that word?”  “Why did she call me that?” or “What is she trying to say?”  (Of course that might just be me.)

I love her words, because I love her.  And each word she wrote was written with me in mind, and written because she loves me.

Do I treat my study of the Bible as seriously?  Do I treasure each word that God wrote to me, and go over it again and again looking for deeper meaning?

Biblios Hokku - Revelation

The final chapter, in more ways than one.  I don’t imagine any book of the Bible is more talked about, or discussed than Revelation.

Revelation, also called Apocalypse in some older texts, is the story of the end of times. 

There are probably more interpretations of the book than there are verses in it.  Many people claim to understand it, and to be able to interpret the day-by-day calendar of the end of the world.

For me, the images of “end-times” and “raptures” and “tribulations” are no where near as exciting as the images of “A New Jerusalem” and “The Lamb on the Throne” and God “wiping away all tears”

 

REVELATION
Apocalypse now!
Through strife and judgment,
we win in the end!

 

Need I say more?

I think not.

AMEN!

Biblios Hokku - Jude

The book of Jude is another letter written to try and combat heresy.  Jude, possibly Jesus’ half-brother, urges his readers to “…contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” (Jude 1:3) He warns that Godless men have crept into the church “…who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” (Jude 1:4b)

To put it simply, they were teaching that being saved by Grace, meant you could keep sinning and it would not held against you. 

Jude reminds them that this is not how it works, and that they must not be so easily taken in.

 

JUDE
Contend for the faith.
Your freedom is not to sin,
but to live in Grace.

 

I am particularly proud of the double meaning in line two. :-)

Biblios Hokku – 3 John

If 1 John and 2 John were works of doctrine, then 3 John is a pastoral care letter.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. – 3 John 1: 4

John is concerned that some church leaders had lost their humility and charity.  He praises some, but has harsh words for others.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. – 3 John 1:11

Again, a short book (only one verse longer than 2 John), but a powerful one.

3 JOHN
Walk in truth, children.
Imitate good, not evil.
For this is of God.

Read the rest of the Bible in Haiku by going here. 

Biblios Hokku – 2 John

We saw recently how 1 John was written in an effort to combat the Gnostic doctrines that Jesus only appeared to suffer and die.  Well, it was so much a problem, that John had to write a second letter on the issue.

2 John is the shortest book in the New Testament, only 13 verses.  But what verses they are!

Before addressing the heresy – again, John sends a message of love to the readers.

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 4-6

That’s four “commands”, and three “loves”, in three verses.

2 JOHN
The secret of love?
Walk after His commandments,
and you shall know Him!

More Biblios Hokku here.

Biblios Hokku – 1 John

In the later part of the First Century, around 90-100AD, a strange heresy was creeping into the Christian Church.  The Gnostics, believing that the material world ( and consequently all flesh ) was inherently evil, decided that Jesus was not a real man – that he had been on Earth in spirit only, and not in the flesh. This belief, called Docetism, had it that his earthly appearance was only an illusion, as was his crucifixion.

The disciple John was not amused.

“…but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, …” 1 John 4:3

He wrote this letter in an effort to try and convince the readers of the truth of who Jesus was, one who “..we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched…” 1 John 1:1

As the last living disciple, he was in a unique position to testify to the reality of the earthly Christ.

Two famous, and oft quoted passages are :

Beloved let us love, for love comes from God – 1 John 4:7

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

For John, these two verses would be meaningless, unless you accepted that the Earthly Jesus was also the Heavenly Christ.

1 JOHN
The real Word of life,
gives us a command of love,
and frees us from sin.

To see more Biblios Hokku, follow the link.

Biblios Hokku – 2 Peter

Towards the end of his life (“Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle”) Peter became concerned about the many false teachers and heresies within the Church itself.

His solution is simple.

2 PETER
Be true to the word
and grow in faith and knowledge.
You’ll not go astray.

Biblios Hokku – 1 Peter

The Roman Empire was beginning to persecute the early Church in earnest.  Peter wrote to the church to re-assure them. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

For the latest in our Biblios Hokku project, here is…

1 PETER
Take heart and rejoice:
In a world of suffering
God is in control.

Biblios Hokku - James

Ah, James.  I am a huge fan of his work.  I have designed and presented bible studies on this book on more than one occasion.  James is a pretty straight-forward kind of guy, and doesn’t beat about the bush.  Take for example James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”

James is probably most famous for raising the whole question of faith vs. works, and his claims that faith without works is dead.  I think we often get tied up on that section, and look too much at the charity argument.  But this passage was not about being charitable, or caring for the less fortunate.  James was trying to tell us that….

JAMES
To grow in spirit;
Your belief is not enough.
Faith needs deeds to live.

Our deeds are what make our belief into faith, what gives life to our faith, because the two are in fact one.  Like body and spirit, we cannot have one without the other.

At least that’s what this FISH believes.

For the complete Biblios Hokku, go read my other blog.  Or stay tuned for further poems. 

Biblios Hokku – Hebrews

All joking aside, Hebrews is a pretty awesome book.  And despite the cartoon above, we actually don’t know who wrote it. 

Hebrews 11:1 gives us a wonderful definition of faith “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.”

Hebrews is about how much better Jesus is than any sacrifice or ritual, and how through him we can boldly approach the throne of GOD.

HEBREWS
Salvation so great
What hope, should we neglect it?
Bold shall we approach.

 

To read more in the Biblios Hokku project, go to my other blog.

Biblios Hokku - Philemon

I have always found this an interesting book.  If you have never read it, go do so now.  It’s really quite short.

Paul writes to Philemon, not to instruct him in church work, but to encourage him to take back a slave who ran away.  Apparently after Onesimus (who’s name means “useful”) robbed and ran away from his lawful master, he found Paul, who helped him find the Lord.

Paul sends him back to Philemon with a request that he receive him “as you would receive me”

Quite a strong lesson in forgiveness, and mercy. 

PHILEMON
Forgive and forget.
Receive him as you would me.
For he is useful.

Biblios Hokku - Titus

Another poem for my Biblios Hokku project. 

Paul left Titus on the island of Crete, to ordain elders.  Crete was notorious for it’s dodgy characters, so he reminds Titus to choose the right sort of person – men who hold fast to the Gospels.

TITUS
Be ready for good,
holding faithful to the word,
and choose wise leaders.

Biblios Hokku – Timothy

Another book from my Biblios Hokku project.  Click here for the whole Bible in Haiku, or keep reading for more insight on the letters to Timothy.

Paul writes this letter to his “Beloved Son in Christ” to give him instruction in how pastors should conduct themselves.  The book contains the memorable reminder that a ‘labourer is worthy of his reward’

1 TIMOTHY
You have chosen well,
and desire a good work.
Be worth your reward.

In his further writings, he reminds Timothy that “all scripture is given by inspiration of GOD” which is often translated as “GOD-breathed”

2 TIMOTHY
Words breathed out by GOD.
Equipping us for good works -
A holy calling

Biblios Hokku – Thessalonians

Yes, it has been a while, but here is another piece from my Biblios Hokku project.  (Writing the Bible in haiku.)  If you are the sort of person who likes to read ahead, click on the link above and see all the books.  Otherwise just sit back as we do them one at a time.

The apostle Paul felt it necessary to write a letter to the Thessalonian Church, teaching primarily about the second coming of Christ.  1 Thessalonians is possibly the oldest letter in the Bible, and so much we read here might be revealed for the first time. 

1 THESSALONIANS
Rejoice evermore.
The dead in Christ shall arise;
just you wait and see! 

 

The Thessalonians were glad to hear this, but then soon they started hearing disturbing reports.  False letters were being circulated with Paul’s name on them, claiming that Jesus had already returned, and they had missed it.  Many became despondent, and stopped working for the kingdom.

Paul responds by sending them another letter, clearly from him, in which he comforts them that the event is still in the future, and that they should continue their good works until that day.

2 THESSALONIANS
This is my message:
Fear not, he is still coming.
Don’t stop good works yet.

Biblios Hokku - Ephesians

The book of Ephesians has a lot to say about salvation through grace alone, and how we are all being built into a body for Christ, a dwelling for him.

 

EPHESIANS
By grace we are saved,
built to become his body -
A house for our Lord

Biblios Hokku - Galatians

 

GALATIANS
Walk in the Spirit.
Don’t give in to earthly lust.
and you will bear fruit.

Biblios Hokku – 1 Corinthians

“And now I will show you the most excellent way.” Paul makes this promise to his readers at the end of 12 chapters of writing about sin and Christ-like behaviour.  He then launches into an explanation of this most excellent way, by giving us 1 Corinthians 13.  (Love is patient… love is kind… love does not… love does…. if I have no love… and the greatest of these is love… )

All this to cap off a book that starts with quite a dramatic promise :

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1:18)

 

1 CORINTHIANS
The Power of God?
Love – A most excellent way:
The way of the cross

For a full list of books, and their corresponding haiku, go here. 

Biblios Hokku - John

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1:1

Right from the beginning, the Gospel of John pulls no punches. This is all about telling the world that Jesus was more than just a good man, or even the Messiah. He was GOD! There are no parables told in this gospel, and only seven miracles appear. Instead, it is full of what Jesus said about himself. There are a number of "I AM" statements: "I am the bread of life", "I am the good shepherd", "I am the way, the truth and the life"

JOHN
In the beginning-
There before Heaven or Earth.
This is who I AM.

Go visit all the chapters here.

Biblios Hokku - Luke

The Gospel of Luke is a unique Gospel. Luke is (probably) the only Gentile writer in the New Testament. Luke includes in his account words spoken by Jesus as a child, and many parables not found elsewhere. It appears from the introduction that Luke studied and researched the stories told about Jesus, and probably used Mark as one of many sources.

The Gospel is focused on showing that Jesus was a saviour for all people, both Jew and Gentile. Stories of salvation being extended to all are prevalent. The book ends with Jesus going up to Heaven, however it foreshadows the coming of the Spirit, and the book of Acts is considered by many to be a continuation of the Gospel, also written by Luke, showing how Jesus' life lead to the growth of the early Church.

LUKE
Salvation for all,
Through his great mercy and love.
So much more to come.

Read the rest of the Gospels, as well as the Old Testament, here.

Biblios Hokku - Mark

So yesterday we featured a haiku about the Gospel of Matthew.

Today we go onto Mark.

Mark is very different from Matthew. It is a shorter, faster Gospel, and appears to address a Gentile audience. It presents Jesus as a suffering saviour, and reminds us of his Sonship. It shows that as Christians not only will we suffer, but that suffering is a pathway to a new life. That we can't avoid it, and still follow Christ.

MARK
A man of sorrow.
Our salvation bought by blood.
“Follow me, and live.”

As always, you can find all the piece here.