Whom Satan hath bound Luke 13 v 16 

Around twenty old folk were gathered in De Roo’s Road for an afternoon Gospel meeting.   Giles Wilkins and Rowland  Van Wick conducted these outreach meetings regularly.  De Roo’s Road had been the scene of feverish activity when the bus arrived disgorging slowly the old and infirm some able to walk easily others helped down by the extending ramp at the back of the bus.

Now settled comfortably with a cup of tea and a biscuit they talked quietly among themselves catching up with the news and gossip.  The murmur of voices and rattle of tea cup was silenced when the evangelist caught their attention by showing them a chain and asking some willing volunteers to try  to break it.  He offered the chain to one and then another challenging see how strong it was.  Many entered into the spirit of the thing and pulled and tugged,  tested the chain for its breaking point.   The evangelist then brought out a strong rope from the plastic bag, “Here try this” he offered the rope to a nearby woman. Smiling the woman attempted to break it going slightly red in the face in the process.  No it was no good the chain and the rope were certainly strong. Next came the padlock. The evangelist had selected a rather large one and this was duly inspected and found to be satisfactory

The evangelist wife then stood in the center of the room, a woman of 60 years of age, who radiated peace and calm at the prospect of being chained liked Houdini the famous escape artist.  Soon the evangelist had fixed the chain and bound his wife with the rope securely and when he was fully satisfied snapped on the huge padlock for all to see.  Now the spectacle was developing as a helpless woman stood bound. It was a scene of some pathos as she was now was trussed up like some Christmas Turkey.  The evangelist was giving out his message    Look what Satan has done.  So many folk are just like this.  The enemy of our souls hath bound us.  We are chained in sin.   Unable to move.. But here comes Jesus.  He speaks words of command.  Loose him    He whom the son sets free is free indeed…

There  was a powerful appeal.   Go free.   Like the demonized man …..   Suddenly the evangelist hesitated…   Where were the Keys…     He had searched his pocket and was unable to find them.  In the name of Jesus he croaked, “GO free”.  Quickly searching the other pockets brought no relief.    There were no keys were to be found he looked at the padlock and groaned.  Oh dear…

Giles who lived in the home was nearby and Tony whispered Giles, The keys are in my mackintosh in the other room can you please get them. The lesson was clear like the seven sons of Se’rva in the book of Acts of the Apostles 19 v 14   Tony did not have the key.  Only Jesus holds the keys to death and hell. When He opens the door it remains open, and when he closes the door it will remain closed    Revelation 3 v 7