The Man Who Was Robbed

From: Messages of God's Love: 1975

IN LUKE 10 the Lord Jesus told the sad story of the

THE MAN WHO LEFT JERUSALEM

the city of peace, to go "down to Jericho," the city of the curse (Josh. 6:26²⁶And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. (Joshua 6:26)). It is the road we all have taken — turning our backs upon God, taking our own way (Isa. 53:6⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)), which leads on to destruction (Matt. 7:13¹³Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13)).

Going along that dangerous road. this traveler

Fell Among Thieves,

highway robbers, who took everything from him, stripped him, wounded him and left him half dead. What a plight, and wholly unable to help or recover himself! This is just another view of the sinner, robbed of innocence and of his relationship with God, stripped of everything and left to perish, "without strength" to retrace his steps (Rom. 5:6⁶For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)).

A Priest and a Levite

from the temple in Jerusalem passed by, but they did nothing to save or lift him up (Luke 10:31,32³¹And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³²And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:31‑32)). No more can religion, good works, ordinances, or good resolutions do to save and bring a sinner back to God. He is so far gone, so utterly lost, so hopeless and helpless that he needs a Saviour, one to do everything for him.

A Samaritan,

one with whom the Jews would have "no dealings" in ordinary circumstances (John 4:9⁹Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. (John 4:9)), came along that way. In deep compassion he went to where the man was, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, walking alongside to keep him there, until they reached an inn a place of rest and care.