The Twisted Rope

Apr 2, 2016 1842

Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down” – Joshua 2:17

This scarlet cord comes from an interesting Hebrew word, because it has two meanings. The word chebel means first of all a rope, but not just any rope, but a twisted rope. And because it is a twisted rope, it also means sorry, pain, and anguish in Hebrew.

This rope is a most beautiful symbol of the Cross of Christ.

It is a red rope. This is the colour associated with the offerings in the sanctuary; it is the word associated with blood and with sacrifice.

Rahab’s rope was hung outside the walls of the wicked city, just like Christ was hung outside the walls of Jerusalem.

It stretched all the way from heaven to earth, from where you are to safety. That’s what the cross of Christ does. It can take you from death to life, from corruption to joy, from violence to safety.

Christ tasted the path of suffering so that you will never need to do it. He is the one who has broken into the wicked city in which we were imprisoned behind impregnable walls of sin. And he has made a way of escape for us.

What we need most is that red rope – the Cross of Christ.

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