SCARLET

LOVE

The title Scarlet Love, is a combination of bible stories & principles with the same element of Mercy, Grace & Redemption - stemming from a divine kind of Love. From the Biblical story of how an emblematic scarlet rope clean-slated Rahab's past, while preserving her future, simply because of the mercy she showed (Joshua 2), to the understanding of our scarlet, and impure nature (Isaiah 1:18), and how, despite that, Christ still chose to be patient, to be kind, forgiving, and loved our undeserving selves.

 

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

(Isaiah 1:18)

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On the eve of an imminent betrayal, known to Him, Christ chose to dine with his followers, and used this moment to display a genuine act of servanthood. He gracefully severed his pride, by opting to wash the feet of his disciples. In choosing to serve his “servants”, Christ displays a raw act of love, that transcended the norm and expectancy of a leader. As the night grew, Christ would go on to give a command that would ultimately transform the expectation of this paradigm known as love.

 

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, by your love towards each other.”

(John 13:34-35)

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When Christ said this, he didn’t mean a sentimental feeling, but rather an action-based, genuine display of affection. The type of true love that isn’t selective, but rather embraces all. In embracing all, you’re embracing every entity that makes up such individual; from their faith to even their struggles. Christ displayed both perfectly wherever he went, and with whomever he encountered; whether with the saints or with the outcasts – as seen with the Pharisees, and the Samaritan woman at the well. He preached and he counseled, He taught and He listened, He chastised and He served – but in all that He did, Christ embraced all, and displayed love in its every form.

 

With patience, it was evident through his relationship with disciples and even skeptics, as well as His perseverance through ridicule, divine timing, and long-suffering up until crucifixion. His earthly ministry and charity unto man couldn’t be more indicative of genuine kindness. His mantra was humility, and was never envious, neither was it prideful.

 

In Joshua 2, we see the unrelenting faith, trust & obedience to God, that Rahab (the harlot/impure), displayed in hiding God’s “chosen people.” In that passage, there's a metaphoric significance of a scarlet thread/rope, that served as the merciful symbol to what ultimately preserved the life of this sinner & her family. She did unto them, as she would have wanted them to do to her. As Christians, we are called to trust and obey; and if Christ has called us to serve, and to love one and another, in the same altruistic manner He did for us, then our metaphoric scarlet thread has to be in the way that we love .. ALL - regardless of blemish.

 

This project tackles that metaphoric symbol from the different components of Love: through Tough Love, Tangible Love, Selfless/Unconditional Love, & even Self-Love.  It's purpose is to intentionally start a discussion about issues & situations not comfortably visited by the conventional church. It is my prayer, that this project will open the eyes of believers, and those with open-ears, to hear & see the true gospel in a more relatable and creative light.