Receiving In The House

Today, as we near the end of another most untamed and freeing week, we are ready and waiting, with ever expectant minds and hearts, to traverse more of the path of the Blood on the houses.

We have already been reminded of the salvation of families, friends and even neighbours, who knew salvation from the wrath of God, in the destruction which He brought to the land of Egypt. He will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. Exodus 12: 23b. We also know that the Israelites went to live in the Promise Land, God’s chosen place for them.

We have also been given the mind and eyes to look again at Rahab and her family, her extended family even, who knew salvation from the wrath of God in the conquering and burning of the land of Jericho. Before destroying the place of Jericho, as God had ordered, Joshua ensured the safety of Rahab and all who were in the house with her. Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her. So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel. Then they burned the whole city and everything in it.   Joshua 6: 22b – 24a

Is the same true when we remain in Jesus? All un-hushed, un-muzzled and un-dumbed praise, honour, gratitude and unending thanks to God, it is so. Nevertheless, before we conclude the week with our Jesus’ all-sufficient, all-reliant, all-patient and all-absorbent precious and powerful Blood, let me share something that I simply can’t shake off.

As we have been talking much about blood, the colour of red has been on my mind. Like most of us, I associate red with the colour of blood. I have been thinking of the blood, or the red colour on the doorframes of the houses of the Hebrew children. In my thoughts, I have been wondering about the association with the red blood and the scarlet or red cord that was tied on the window of Rahab’s house. Was there, or is there some understanding, some special significance in the red colour, or is it all nothing of importance really? I also know that some translations, such as the Good News Translation actually use the word, red, to describe the rope or cord that was used at Rahab’s window. This is what you must do. When we invade your land, tie this red cord to the window you let us down from. Get your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s family together in your house. Joshua 2: 18 GNT. 

While I am trying to pass this off as just me, I hear that there is also something else in the Bible about red that I must know. Then it all came to light and I truly was made literally afraid, to even learn more or hear more. Perhaps you have remembered this, but I did not. Listen to what is spoken about Jesus Himself, when the soldiers of the governor took Him into the Praetorium. They then gathered all the soldiers, the full company of soldiers who surrounded Jesus.

This is the scene as described in Matthew 27: 28. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. I don’t know about any theological orations on the same, I don’t even know what the scholars and preachers are preaching and teaching on the same, but I know that this has affected me as it never has, ever before. All I know is that I simply cannot just, nonchalantly and mindlessly, look at our Lord and Master clothed in a scarlet robe. I cannot see our Jesus in ‘red’ and remain unmoved. Does this do anything for you also?

As for me, I see Jesus bathed in ‘red’, the red of Blood, His own Blood. When I think of those soldiers, people who never claimed to love Jesus, be His followers or had any kind of care for Him, strip Him of His garment and treat Him so cruelly and dishonourably, I cannot but hang my head in deep sorrow and utter shame. I have to, because I am no different. You see, I really am no different. I am guilty of being a traitor, of changing sides, of gross unbelief in who Jesus is. What does this do for you? What is this triggering in you?

Let us come humbly, sorrowfully, and penitently before the throne of grace in our Lord’s full Presence, Assurance and Deliverance, through His unmitigated Blood. Let us come with confidence, knowing that, we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3: 24.