The Road to Jericho Part 2

Joshua finished packing up his caravan. He had fabrics of all types to sell: wool, linen, even silk, in a splendid array of colors.

On his way to the market in Jericho, he decided to stop at an inn in Jerusalem. Joshua walked toward the innkeeper. “A meal and drink, whatever this will buy me, please,†he said, holding up a Tyrian silver shekel. But the innkeeper walked right past him as if he were a curtain, shoving his shoulder as though expecting it to billow in the wind like Joshua’s fabrics.
Disgusted, Joshua moved on to a street vendor on the other side of the road. “Better to get my food for the road anyway,” he thought.

“A meal and drink, whatever this will buy me. Please,†he said, holding up the same shekel. But the street vendor looked right through him. Joshua waved his arms in the air and danced like a fool. The vendor did not seem the slightest bit aware of this test.

Joshua decided he should be on his way. Enough time had been wasted.

He was more than halfway to Jericho when it happened. Robbers came upon him when he least expected it, stripping him of his clothes and beating him. When they left him, they thought he was dead. In his half-conscious state, Joshua thought, “How remarkable that the robbers should have seen me. If I could, I would kick myself for not trying a third time for that meal.” He would’ve groaned, but his body was too sore. Does God even see me? • Lauren N. Simmons

• This story is based loosely on a parable Jesus told. Throughout the Bible, we can see God cares for people who are disregarded and oppressed. How did Jesus interact with people who were overlooked by others (Mark 10:46–52; Luke 4:16-21; 8:40-48; 23:32-43)?

• Do you ever wonder if anyone sees you? If God even sees you? Read Psalm 139:1-12.

• In Genesis 16:13, God is called “the one who sees me†by a woman named Hagar, who was severely mistreated. How could it be comforting to know that God is the One who sees you?

• Because sin has entered God’s good world, we all suffer from sin’s effects. Only Jesus can save us; He died and rose again—because He loves us! Where do you see the effects of sin and brokenness in your life? How might Jesus bring healing to those areas?

Jesus took up the question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead.†Luke 10:30 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:13-22