Advent Part 2: A Scarlet Cord
Written by Pastor Sean Brandow
Christmas: The Whole Story
Part 2 - Rahab
When you turn the page from Old to the New Testament the first thing you will come to is a long list of names. These names make up Israel’s History and the lineage of Jesus. But there are four names that stand out…four women…and women are not normally included in genealogies. The inclusion of these names draws our attention back to their stories but also give added weight to the Christmas Story and the Story of Jesus. The first mentioned, Tamar, reminds us that God is faithful in keeping his promises.
Rahab is the second woman mentioned, you can find her story in Joshua 2. Here we are pulled back to a time when Isreal is perched on the edge of a new life. They had come out of slavery in Egypt, wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their unwillingness to trust God and now stand just about to take hold of the promises God has made to them. To go to a profitable land where they would be an independent and prosperous nation. It’s all right there...but first they need to get through Jericho. It’s a heavily fortified city that threatens to stop them before they get started.
Two spies are sent to Jericho to scope out the city and when they arrive, they find refuge in the home of a prostitute named Rahab. Perhaps it was because it would not have drawn much attention for travelers to step in there, or perhaps a home like hers was used to keeping secrets. Regardless, their host will save their lives and become part of Isreal’s history and the lineage of Jesus.
The city is a rock! It will be hard to take. But Rahab reveals that the hearts of the people are melting. They have seen and heard stories about what the God of Isreal has done and can do….and they are terrified. The fall of the city at the hands of God and His people is inevitable.
On the other side, Isreal has been warned explicitly not to become like the nations they are going in to conquer. The people in the land are incredibly wicked, perverse, twisted and violent even burning their own children alive to somehow appease the gods they worship. God sees all this wickedness…and we are faced with the question…Does the creator of all things have the right to punish evil? I would say He must….and he will.
Rahab is not immune from the feelings of inevitable judgement and makes an appeal for mercy. When the leaders of Jericho confront Rahab about housing the spies Rahab chooses to forsake her people and her city. Not to put her confidence in a doomed city or the security of everything she has ever known but rather into the hands of God. Instead of turning the spies over she helps them escape.
Before lowering the spies down the wall to flee the spies make an agreement with Rahab that they, their people and their God will spare her life, her life for theirs. The agreement will be marked with a Scarlet Rope. Only those in this home with this marking will be spared the coming judgement. And on the day the city fell, Rahab and her family ARE spared. Delivered from the attack, Rahab becomes a part of the nation of Isreal and by God’s grace and sovereignty also part of the lineage of Jesus.
The mention of Rahab in the midst of Jesus’ genealogy reminds us of the dark reality that we (Like Jericho) face the inevitable and fateful day of God’s judgement for our disobedience and rebellion. Because,” All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” and the “Wages of this sin is death”. BUT, before judgement God extends Grace. “For God Loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in Him will NOT perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
An appeal to God for mercy will be marked with a scarlet cord. At the time of Judgement God will not see your sins but the crimson cord of his Blood poured out for us on the Cross. His life for ours. But only for those who are under the Blood.
Rahab reminds us that the coming Messiah would save his people…
God tells Joseph…
“Mary will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins…” Matt. 1:21
Perhaps Christmas doesn’t seem like a fitting time to think about our sin or the inevitability of judgement or the uncertainty of when this will face it. But these sobering thoughts elevate the beauty and splendor of the Christmas story.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15
I pray this Christmas would be a season of peace for you and your family knowing that your life is hidden in Christ…. Merry Christmas.