I like storytelling, always have. Some of my fondest memories include sitting by the fire some cold season evenings listening to all sorts of stories (some of which were made up yet so captivating); they stayed with me. I remember seeing the Bible as one giant story book, full of lots of different stories and that made it easier for me to read. I would always skip the non-story style writings and jump straight to the ones which seemed like stories.
Jesus’ parables amongst others used to be my favourite and, in my head, I formed a connection between Jesus (as presented through the Bible) and the older ones who growing up made out time to sit with us and tell us these stories because they cared for us. I began to see Jesus as the man who cared enough to spend some of his time telling stories to people. So, you can imagine my intrigue when I read the story of the good Samaritan.
Luke 10:30 NKJV
Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”
For today’s blog however, my focus is not on the Samaritan but rather on the man Jesus referred to as ‘a certain man’.This man, like many others was embarking on a journey but unfortunately fell among thieves. Is this not the story of us all? Brought to earth through birth for purpose and with destiny. Armed by God before we even arrived with a calling to prosper and serve and live for God. Upon arrival however, due to the fall of man, we become subject to the devil and his ploy.
So many people have had so much stolen from them. Right now though, the question is neither whether they deserved it or not, nor whether they had it coming. The fact is that the enemy has stolen from them, period. Some have lost time, children, marriages, jobs, relationships. Others have lost dignity, self-worth and so much more. That’s what the devil does— he is a thief and a robber.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
John 10: 10A NKJV
In Luke 10: 30B, look at what the thieves did and in what order. The first thing they did was to strip the man of his clothing. Clothing speaks volumes. You can identify a man by his clothing; his tribe, class, social status, etc. In those times, all those things could be determined by someone’s clothing. Also, it spoke of a sense of covering. What the devil has succeeded in doing to so many people is to strip them of their clothing through the deception of lies about who they are and what they are worth. You are not what you have been through.
When you don’t realise who you are as a result of what Jesus has already done on the cross (the fulness of it), you are exposed to the lies of Satan and as long as you are exposed, he can wound you. Bringing us to the second thing the thieves did to the man: they wounded him. There are so many wounded people in the world today as a result of either the loss of covering or the ignorance of the strength of their covering. As a soldier, being in battle without a shield or without a bullet proof vest (some kind of covering) means that you are exposed to life threatening injuries.The same is true of a Christian who does not believe and act on God’s word in various areas of their life.
“…And anything that is not based on faith is sin.”
Romans 14: 23c GNT
As a Christian, you need faith for business, faith for your marriage, faith for parenting, faith for every facet of your life and walk.
“No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11: 6 GNT
Wounds cause your focus to shift. You start seeing the wounds instead of looking up. And when all you see is your wounds, you are not able to believe the truth of God’s word for your life.
…. to be continued
