How a Man Falls

John 9: 1-3; Luke 10: 25-37

Beloved as believers, when we have a problem or we come across someone that has been beaten down by life. We are quick to ask the question: 'who sinned?' as it was said of the man born blind in our text, the 9th chapter of John vs 1-3 .

JOHN 9:1-3

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. (KJV)

The fact that he was born with his ailment did not exempt him from the fiery darts of human judgement. As humans when we see a drug addict lying on the street, a bedridden fellow, or people experiencing one form suffering or abasement, we are quick to point out their misstep, wrongdoing or simply their sins. We ask questions like: 'How did he end up here?' ,'What did he do with his life?' and some go further in prayer like the Pharisee saying: 'thank God I am not like this sinner'.

Consciously or not, we judge quickly others that are vulnerable in areas we are not. This leads me to our subject of today: How a Man Falls. This takes me to our main text in Luke 10:25-37 which narrates the famous parable of the good Samaritan in Jesus' attempt to answer the question who is neighbour? This classic parable forms the anatomy of our understanding of our topic: How a Falls.

Luke 10:25-37

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

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.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” (KJV)

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho

Before a man falls, he must have gone down spiritually:

The two cities highlighted in our text are very symbolic biblical cities. Jerusalem is considered one of the most holiest site in the whole world to not only the Christian faith. It is the home of first and second temple and considered a place of worship for the Jews. Pilgrims like Hannah have travelled from all part of Israel and Judah to worship in Jerusalem. So without an iota of double Jerusalem depicts a place of spiritual cleanliness and holiness. Jerusalem is where people go to seek God and lovers of God flow towards Jerusalem.

Prayer Point: Activities of Sin, Satan and Lust to bring my down from the mountain of spiritual power and righteousness, blood of Jesus terminate them now, in the name of Jesus

Psalm 48:1-2 says:

"1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King."

True to its geography also, Jerusalem relative to Jericho is a mountain or an elevated ground. In fact, even though Jerusalem and Jericho are about 16 miles apart, the difference in height between them is about 3500 miles. That tells you it is a big drop in elevation between the two cities. Hence a believer who dwells in Jerusalem is at the height of spiritual closeness and fellowship with God. Jerusalem is the most mentioned city in the Holy Bible.

On the other hand, we have Jericho. Jericho has no positive spiritual connotation. It is an oasis. It looks pleasant outside but within its walls is bareness and bitterness 2 Kings 2:19-21. The wall of Jericho was a fertile ground for prostitution Joshua 2:1,15. Jericho or the spirit of Jericho does not let go of its captive easily. They young prophets that dwell in Jericho saw Elijah was about to go but the spirit of Jericho held them so much that they remained there while Jordan was divided they watch from yonder. 2 Kings 2:15 . Jericho reduces a prophet to a debtor to mention the least or if possible kills him. 2 Kings 4:1. Jericho represent a place of spiritual drought or to be direct Jericho is a place of sin or sinful spiritual state! As little as Jericho was it has brought down the mighty and honorable men. Like Blind Bartimaeus who dwell at Jericho. Remember the Greek meaning of Bartimaeus means an Honorable man. How does an honorable man end up blind in Jericho. Did he go Sin seeking? Jericho had dealt with him and make a blind beggar of a man born with honor!

Prayer Point: Any power assigned to turn my glory to shame? Die in the name of Jesus

True to her geography also, Jericho is in fact, below sea level, the lowest point on Earth. That is a scientific fact. This tells you how devastating and low sin can bring a man to. Jericho is lowest place a man can be spiritually.

Now, for a man to travel from a glorious spiritual height of fellowship with God, to the lowest point of spirituality in sin opens the door for an imminent fall. Whatever may befall him or her.

and fell among thieves

When a man falls from Grace it opens the door to spiritual attacks by all kinds of spiritual robbers. Spiritual robbers comes after different kind of things.

PSALM 119:67

"67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word."

Firstly, the spiritual robber comes for your Joy and Salvation

ISAIAH 61:10

"10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,"

(to be continued)