The Scarlet Cord-Joshua 2:14-21

There is a river that runs from Genesis to today. It is a river running red.
Adam and Eve experienced the power of it when an animal was slain to cover their shame. And it ran RED.
Abel and Cain experienced it when they sacrificed unto Jehovah, and only the one was accepted; for it ran RED.
Noah and his family experienced it when it washed away the world of sin, and gave way to a fresh new start. Still it ran RED.
The Hebrews experienced it's power of salvation and separation  when it shrouded them from the enemy, parted to reveal a way of escape, and overtook the bondage they endured for years. It ran RED.

Forty years later they would finally cross the Jordan River, and come to a city on the outskirts of Canaan called Jericho. Again spies were sent out, to survey the land.
Was it coincidence that they came to Rahab's house? Was it coincidence that she heard of the exploits of the God of Israel and she believed? What made her tell them of how the stories of their God caused fear in the hearts of her countrymen?
By faith, Rahab hid the men who came to her house for lodging in the night. When the coast was clear she let them down  the side of the wall with a scarlet cord. What a strong cord that must have been to hold the weight of a man.
Their deliverance was by that scarlet cord. Rahab's own deliverance would soon be by the same.
"Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon  his head, and we shall be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him."
Isn't it something that the cord was, of all colors, red? Was this also coincidence?
Not at all. It was a by divine design, for a divine purpose.
The scarlet cord was the instrument of Rahab' deliverance, and her family's, because of the faith that was involved. It wasn't the cord that saved them. It was the faith it took to believe in the deliverance the cord would bring.

The bible does not say that Rahab and her family was taken out before they marched around the wall., yet her home was on the wall. The wall tumbled down from the the divine power of the Lord, because of the act of faith and obedience by the Israelites. Isn't it safe to say that  this same divine power shielded  the house of Rahab as the wall fell around her. She was safe.
This same Rahab is now forever the ancestor of David and a part of the genealogy of Jesus. From a harlot who believed, to a part of God's family.
This is the power of the scarlet thread.
Fast Forward to a hill where crosses stood.
There is crying, and darkness, and not far away the temple veil is torn from top to bottom.
Graves open.

And with a loud voice Jesus cries " Father in to thy hands I commit my spirit" and he says "It is finished" and breathes his last breath.
But there is more- he is pierced in his side, that, as the scriptures foretold, none of his bones would be broken. From this piercing blood and water flowed. This river ran red.
Even now it still runs.
When we go down in the waters of baptism, and the name of Jesus is called over us, we invoke the power of that blood that ran from him. That blood that coursed with the water. That  river of blood that parted to reveal a way of escape. That river of blood that covers our shame, and washes away the old world of sin. That river of blood that, by faith, is the instrument of our salvation and deliverance from bondage.
There is  a river that flows from the beginning, and it will flow to the end. Making sisters and brothers of those who, to the naked eye, do not deserve such respect. But that river runs red, with the blood of Christ, in whom we have our salvation.
Today can be that day for you or someone you will see today. Make a decision to do it or tell it. Jump in that river.