The Jericho road, connecting Jerusalem and Jericho, is about 17 miles long and a notoriously dangerous road. In those 17 miles it drops 3,600 feet. It's steep and it descends sharply, with lots of rocky valleys and passes. Until the fifth century it was called the red or bloody way, and in the 19th century people still paid safety money to local sheiks before they traveled on it.
In Jesus' time the Jericho-Jerusalem road was notorious for its danger and difficulty. The road is most renowned for its appearance in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). It was there that thieves beat a traveler, stripped him of his garment, wounded him and left him half dead. A priest and a Levite saw him there but passed by leaving him to suffer alone. But a Samaritan came by, stopped and had compassion on him. He bound up his wounds, poured oil and wine on them and took him to an inn. There he provided enough for his care and recovery.
So the hymn "On The Jericho Road" reminds us of the road we are traveling here on earth. There are many dangers, challenges and difficulties we face on this road through life. The world may be wrong and our burden heavy. But the Lord wants to come beside us and bear each burden and share our sorrows, if we allow Him to do so. He is the only companion who can do this and safely walk with us on our Jericho Road. We face many distractions that try to accompany us and get us off the right path - jobs, possessions, recreation, investments, friends, hobbies, etc. But there is really only room for two - just Jesus and you!
The words and music to this song were penned in 1928 by The Rev. Don McCrossan (1908-1989), an evangelist who in 1943 became director of the Victory Service Club, an outreach ministry to military personnel. He was also a singer and a composer of gospel songs and held down a side job as radio announcer on station KGER in Long Beach, California. He secured the copyright to "On the Jericho Road" in 1928 when he was only 20.
Over the years the song became popular with many gospel quartets and soloists. Its backtime helps make it very interesting and popular. One off the first musicians to make it popular was Elvis Pressley.
Are you walking with Jesus on your Jericho Road. Are the two of you experiencing the peace and comfort that only He can give along the way. If not, confess your sins to Him and sin's shackles will fall. On the Jericho road, your heart He will bless.
1 As you travel along on the Jericho road,
Does the world seem all wrong and heavy your load?
Just bring it to Christ, your sins all confess,
On the Jericho road your heart He will bless.
Refrain:
On the Jericho road there's room for just two,
No more and no less, just Jesus and you;
Each burden He'll bear, each sorrow He'll share,
There's never a care for Jesus is there.
2 On the Jericho road blind Bartimaeus sat,
His life was a voice, so empty and flat;
But Jesus appeared, one word bro't him sight,
On the Jericho road Christ banished his night.
Refrain:
On the Jericho road there's room for just two,
No more and no less, just Jesus and you;
Each burden He'll bear, each sorrow He'll share,
There's never a care for Jesus is there.
3 O brother to you this message I bring,
Though hope may be gone, He'll cause you to sing;
At Jesus' command, sin's shackles must fall,
On the Jericho road will you answer His call?Refrain:
On the Jericho road there's room for just two,
No more and no less, just Jesus and you;
Each burden He'll bear, each sorrow He'll share,
There's never a care for Jesus is there.
Listen to it here. JERICHO
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