Distinguished Family

THE SECOND.

I am the second. What my name means, I would never know. What my destiny is, I would never perceive. I was born into a cursed tribe. A race doomed to destruction. My race was anathema. But it was never our faults. It wasn't the thing we did that brought about our fate. It was the inactions of our forefather; their refusal to give in to the truth. Their sins were running after us and they were about to catch up.

The ones who were to destroy us were nearby. Our executors were very close. I had seen it. I sensed what was coming. I knew we would all soon die. But what could I do? I was but a harlot. To make ends meet, I had sold my body to kings, priests and even paupers. There was hardly a man in the city who hadn't used me. Even the worthless city drunk had slept with me. My life was such a mess. No one would listen to me. But one day, I put off my woes. Unashamed, I went out to tell them of what I saw. As expected, no one listened to me. My heart cried out for all those people. If only they knew what would happen to them.
One day, two strangers entered the city gate. Strange as that is, I ran out to them and invited them to my house. People looked at me disdainfully, men uttered reproach at me, but I was not daunted. I knew what was coming. These strangers came to spy out the city. The war would soon begin.

When the king heard that I hid the men, he ordered that they, along with me be arrested and killed. Strangers were not welcome in the city. But I helped the men escape and told the King's men I knew nothing about it. So they let me go.

Before the men left, I uttered my fear to them and told them my desire to be saved, along with my family. They handed me a scarlet thread and told me to tie it to my window. They would not destroy the house with the thread or anyone in it.

The day came and the city was caught unawares. It wasn't a war, it was a slaughter. Men died for sins they knew nothing of. Or did they know nothing? It wasn't our fault but we deserved it. We could be free from our fathers' curse, but we chose not to be. We chose to ignore the free offer of salvation we had received earlier on. We were a foolish breed. We condemned ourselves by not believing the truth. It wasn't our sins the killed us, it was our foolishness. We weren't punished for our iniquities as much as for our ignorance. Ignorance is never bliss.

Thank goodness, I followed instructions. I tied the scarlet thread to my window and was saved with my entire family. But what about the things I lost? What about friends and ex-lovers? What about 'sugar daddies' and regular 'patrons'? Depression had replaced my insecurity.

It wasn't until later that I realised the essence of the scarlet thread. Even the men that handed it to me didn't know what it meant. For me, it meant salvation by grace through faith. I had no good works to boast of. I had every reason to die alongside those people. I was even worse off than all of them. But by believing I could be saved, I saw a picture in the future of my Messiah dying for me and saving me from death with His death. I saw Him saving me by His grace, irrespective of my old sinful works. I saw Him replacing my ashes with His beauty. I saw Him giving me His life. I saw myself justified, and in right standing with Him. I had a glimpse of my future self, my eternal self and my depression left for good. I became the most joyful person on earth for joy became my nature. That single truth made me stand up high, walk through places I had never walked before and step over my failures. That single truth became my entire truth.

I am no longer the harlot. I am The Second. I received the Gospel beforehand. I believed the Gospel beforehand. I obtained favour in the sight of the Lord.