Devotionals

Half Dead Christians

by Dan Robinson

January 7, 2011

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:30

“ And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

In this parable about a “certain man” we find a great lesson about staying where God has placed us. It is very important to understand that the place of Jerusalem is always referred to as the place of God. Jericho was a representation of the world.

This certain man had been where God was present. He had experienced the pleasures and liberty of worshipping the Heavenly Father. However, we must realize that this man had a warfare going on inside of him. The Scripture text notes that he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. Also note that Jerusalem was approximately 3600 feet above sea level, and Jericho was approximately 800 feet below sea level. Therefore, this road to Jericho was straight down and very crooked. It was notorious for robbers and thieves.

The parable goes on to draw a picture for us of the results of following our fleshly desires. It says he “fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” We all at some point and time have taken the wrong road, knowing it was wrong when we decided to make that journey. We gave into the lust of our flesh, when we should have stayed in the place of God.

Like this certain man, our choices have left us half dead. We need the resuscitator of life to pass by and perform CPR. Did you know that in spite of our poor choices, God will do just that for His very own?

What thieves have you fallen among? Who or what has left you feeling half dead and lifeless as a Christian? Ask God to help you to get back on the Heavenly highway.