On the Jericho Road
By Emanuel Daugherty
One Of my fondest remembrances from my youth was
hearing my mom and dad sing. They loved to sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs.” One of their favorites, and mine too, was “The Jericho Road.” Dad’s bass voice could
make that old song ring! It is a grand spiritual song with a solid message.
You remember the story that takes place on the Jericho Road—how
the man was waylaid by thieves, robbed, beaten and left for dead. Along came a
Levite and a priest who offered him no assistance. At last came a Samaritan,
despised by the Jews, but in this case, a good man who had compassion on the
one in need and distress. Read for yourself for the details (Luke 10:25-37).
Most of us will never see the actual Jericho Road
going down from Jerusalem to Jericho with its steep descent and places
where robbers can hide. However, as the song suggests, we experience the Jericho
Road. It is the road of life with its
responsibilities, opportunities, hazards, toils, difficulties and dangers. Yet,
the road will not be near so dangerous and difficult if we take Jesus along as
our traveling companion. He will take our cares and worries (1 Peter 5:7), give
us healing for our soul’s diseases (Mark 16:16), and He has already paid the
cost (1 John 2:2).
Finally, we must realize that the Jericho Road may prove to be costly,
unpopular and difficult. It cost the Good Samaritan in terms of time, trouble
and treasure—but his is the eternal reward. So too, will it be for us. Which
side of the Jericho
road are you traveling?
