The Jericho Road

 The Jericho Road.  A road connecting Jericho to Jerusalem.  It was known to be treacherous and known for crime and robbery to those who travelled that way.  It was a steep and winding road.  A road best taken during the daytime.  If one found themselves on that road at dusk and dark, they were often met by thieves. 

In Luke 10:29, a Lawyer asked Jesus this question: 'Who is my neighbor?' In the following verses Jesus answered this man's question by telling him about a man on a journey to Jericho. On his way, he fell among thieves who had stripped him, beat him, and had left him for dead. As this man laid wounded on the side of the road, two men who could have helped him, left him there. And then a Samaritan came upon him.  When he saw the state of the wounded man, he had compassion on him and his compassion turned into action.  He bound up this man's wounds, placed him upon his horse, took him to an inn, and paid for his care.  Not only did he pay for this man's present care, but he paid for any additional care.  After Jesus told this story to the Lawyer, Jesus in turn, asks him this question: "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" The Lawyer answered Jesus correctly.  "He that shewed mercy unto him."  And once this man knew Truth, Jesus tells him to go and do likewise.

If you were to hear this account from the victim, he might say it this way:

"I left Jerusalem, last week for Jericho, in the afternoon, the sun was getting low. And then the bushes shook, and out they came at me, they were robbing me half-naked, while they beat me head to toe, and they left me on the road to Jericho.

Lying almost slain and wounded by the road, crying out in pain for a sympathetic soul. First a priest and then another of my kind, well, they were men I could have trusted but they acted deaf and blind, they were strangers on the road to Jericho.

Through the blood and tears I saw a worried face, he was from Samaria, my people hate his race! He bandaged up my wounds, and he laid me on his horse, although my memory is cloudy, I can still feel his friendly flow, such a kind man on the road to Jericho.

When I later asked the Innkeeper the man's name, he did not know.

Just a neighbor on the road to Jericho."  Keith Green

I've been on a Jericho road before.  Sometimes I was left for dead by those who I considered my friends, and sometimes, help came from those I least expected help from.  They came up beside me and bandaged up my wounds and set me on my way again.

I'm sure you've been on a Jericho road as well.

On the flip side, there were times when I've witnessed others on the Jericho road. Some I've left for dead and other's I cared for.

What is the deciding factor to turn from being a stranger into a neighbor?

When I look upon a hurting soul, bruised, beat up and wounded from the world, do I really see them there?  Enough to have compassion on, and to care for?

Or do I choose who I want to help and when I want to help?

Have I looked into the eyes of a wounded soul and turned away? Or when I look into the eyes of a wounded soul, do I really see them?  Help them?  Do I care?

"When we see innocent persons suffering as the result of the sin of others our pity should be excited!"  

Charles Spurgeon.

We all walk a Jericho Road...

    We all see others on the Jericho Road...

        Will we be a Stranger, or a Neighbor...?

            But that's just me!