05/27/2026
(Ep. 4) Rahab: Leaving Destruction for Salvation
The genealogy in Matthew 1 is not merely a list of names.
Hidden within it is the deep secret of the Gospel, showing us what kind of people God brings into the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
In that genealogy, we find a woman named Rahab.
Rahab was a harlot from the city of Jericho. She was a Gentile, and by human standards, she seemed completely unqualified to be included in the genealogy of Jesus.
But God did not form the genealogy of Jesus only with righteous and clean people.
Rather, He shows us His salvation by rescuing those who were destined for destruction and moving them into the life of Jesus Christ by grace.
Jericho was known as the city of palm trees.
It was a beautiful and abundant city. Outwardly, it looked green and full of life, but before God, it was already a city appointed for destruction.
This is also the condition of mankind.
A person may appear successful, live morally, and build up religious efforts, but if he remains in Adam, he is ultimately destined for destruction.
Rahab was living in Jericho, but her heart had already left Jericho.
She did not hold on to her city, her people, or her own thoughts. Instead, she moved her heart toward the God of Israel.
That movement of her heart transferred Rahab from the city of destruction into the genealogy of life.
A kidney inside a dead person’s body, no matter how healthy it may be, will die if it remains there.
But when that kidney is moved into a living body and connected to its blood vessels, it begins to live and function again.
Salvation is the same.
We do not live by fixing ourselves.
God does not change the fallen sinner who is in Adam.
Rather, we are moved out of Adam, who belongs to death, and placed into Jesus Christ.
Rahab was not saved because she became a better citizen of Jericho.
She was saved because she left Jericho and belonged to the people of God.
Eventually, she was joined to Salmon and became part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
This is grace.
Salvation is not achieved by my good works or by my effort to keep the Law.
It is the grace of God given when I deny myself, forsake my own thoughts and righteousness, and belong to Jesus Christ.
Through this message, may you discover the principle of salvation hidden in Rahab’s story and the secret of the Gospel.
Watch the full sermon here: https://youtu.be/R7vhGclBjN8