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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “a red cord.” After Rehab had helped the Israelites’ spies to escaped the pursuers in Jericho, she made them swear an oath that they would save her from the looming invasion of the Israelites upon Jericho. The sign of the oath upon which Rahab and her family will be saved is a red or scarlet cord tied to the same window she helped the spies escape through. “Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.” (Joshua 2:18-21)

Dear friends in the Lord, the account of Rahab and the spies has a prophetic message for us and our relationship with Jesus Christ. The red or scarlet cord represents the efficacious blood of Jesus in the lives of all Christians who believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and are in anticipation of His second coming. Like Rahab, we are to remain marked with the precious blood of Jesus to be saved. We have this assurance in John’s revelation, “Then one of the elders asked me, ‘These in white robes —who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them

nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” (Revelation 7:13-17). Beloved in the Lord, God has promised to save us through the atoning sacrifice or blood of Jesus Christ. Just as He did in the days of Israel’s captivity in Egypt, He saved them during Passover. ( Exodus 12). Jesus is now our Passover lamb of the new covenant and God has made an oath that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). Beloved in the Lord, just like Rahab, have you obeyed God by identifying or marking your life with the blood of Jesus, will you be saved if Jesus returns the second time to judge the world? Are you marked with sin and condemnation or with repentance and salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ? “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9). Jesus is saying, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20)  Dear friend, if you have still not made Jesus the red cord of your life’s window, then I encourage you to do it now so that on the day of reckoning, we shall be saved just as Rahab and her family were saved when Israel invaded Jericho. Shalom.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, may our repentance, baptism, and partaking of the Eucharist be the red cord we tie in faith to our life’s window, even as we await your day of salvation and judgment. Amen.