August 13, 2006

 

When the World Sees Red

 

   Red has always been a primary colour — in more ways than one.

 

   Throughout history, crimson has played a crucial role.  Among ancient peoples, red was thought to have life-giving powers.  That’s why cave dwellers painted pictures done in red ochre or iron oxide, symbolising fertility.  Similarly, the Egyptians rubbed red ochre on the dead to make them more fertile in the afterlife, and Roman brides wore red wedding gowns as a symbol of their fruitfulness — a custom still practised in some Asian cultures.

 

   By the Middle Ages, crimson was associated with royalty and only nobles were allowed to wear it, or purple.  Besides, both shades could only be achieved through expensive dying procedures so no one but the powerful could afford them.  So when rulers, judges and executioners wore red, it symbolised their power over life and death.

 

   Among native tribes in the New World, red was the colour of war paint, not only because it frightened opponents but also because they believed the red markings gave them superior strength and gave them more courage.  Red was synonymous with victory.  So much so, the Iowa tribe used the red feathers of woodpeckers to decorate their ceremonial pipes.  The scarlet plumes signified power and the warriors believed they were taking in extra bravery along with the smoke.

 

   But the most famous use of red among native peoples was by the Oaxacan in Mexico.  Long before the Spanish conquered their country, they extracted red dye from a beetle that lived only on one particular kind of cactus.  The Oaxacan raised those cacti on giant plantations and did a thriving business, even though it took 70,000 insects to get just one pound or 0.5 kilograms of dye.   That dye, called cochineal, was highly valued by Europeans and became famous as the colour of British army uniforms:  uniforms worn by soldiers who came to be known as redcoats.

 

   Among the colours that permeate the Bible and tell the story of our relationship with God, red is chief among them.  “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it,” the Lord tells his rebellious people.  “I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.  Even if you’re stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.”(Isaiah 1:18)

 

   But red isn’t associated only with sin.  It’s also the colour of redemption and reconciliation, symbolised by the blood of Jesus.  That crimson covering has true life-giving powers, both in this life and the one to come.  It not only washes away our sin, preparing us for the hereafter, it gives us a power and fruitfulness from God that makes it possible to reproduce the character of Christ within us. 

 

   Despite our sinful nature, we’re entitled to wear the colour of the Crown because we’re children of the King, adopted through his grace and awesome goodness.  In the spiritual realm, that red is reserved for royalty because it was so incredibly costly.  Our Father paid for it with the life of his beloved Son.  When we wear the crimson of the Cross, it symbolises his authority and power over life and death.

 

   So in our case, too, red is the colour of victory.  When we’re covered in the blood of Jesus, it gives us strength and courage to fight the dark forces that war against us.  We take upon ourselves his vitality and “mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit” and become “filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Eph. 3:16,19)

 

   When Hebrew spies scoped out the Promised Land and were hidden by Rahab the prostitute as their enemies came searching, they promised to reward her by saving her and her family from death during the coming invasion.  But their oath was only valid if Rahab kept a scarlet cord hanging in her window and ensured everyone stayed in the house (Joshua 2.)  In the same way, the blood of Jesus protects those of us who rely on it for pardon and find protection in the church.

 

   The red of the Cross is our symbol of life, fruitfulness, power and victory.  Wear it proudly.  In the battle for your soul, there are only redcoats and turncoats, so let the blood of Jesus colour your life.

 

By Rick Gamble.  Published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe to this free weekly article, send a note to Rick