Five Roads to Jericho - Lorin F. Wheelwright

Five Roads to Jericho - Lorin F. Wheelwright

The five roads to Jericho are traveled by strangers and neighbors. At every turn the eternal question repeats: “Who is my neighbour?"

In our mind’s eye we saw the first road as a trail blazed by some ancient adventurer seeking new land. Perhaps he was pursuing a new trade route, searching for new friends, or fleeing from an enemy. His path was crooked like the wandering of a lost animal trying to find its way. Without him, there would never have been the road to Jericho of which the Savior spoke.

The second road seemed to be that of the predator, the thief who plunders the unwary. Here he lurks around the unexpected turn. This is the road of deception and violence, where twisted minds malinger on a twisted trail.

The third road seemed to be a highway of the aristocrat. He travels in churchly robes, or as a Levite whose tribal rank places him above that of other men. He and his retinue appear safe because of their prominence and power.

The fourth was the road of the outcast, whose mission took him through hostile country but whose persecuted heart did beat to the rhythm of mankind.

The fifth road was straight and smooth. It seemed to be the road that has taken two thousand years to build. It invites all men to abandon the twisted and hazardous trails and follow its direct route to Jericho.

These five roads to Jericho are mute evidence that men of all stations travel by whatever routes they choose. However, they share a common destiny: a perilous highway of life. When abandoned to evil, this highway leaves no man safe. Evil can stalk in the treachery of thieves or in the hypocrisy of priests. On it goodness can travel in the cloth of the forsaken and in the heart of the persecuted. No man knows who may attack or who may heal, who may act as a stranger or who may act as a neighbor.

These roads to Jericho tell us that safety lies only in the hearts of men. Therein dwell empathy and friendliness, generosity in spite of hurt, blessedness in spite of abuse. These roads teach us to travel by the straight way, whether we be adventurers, men of piety, men of honored origin, or victims of prejudice—and that way encourages us to be watchful for those less fortunate, helpful to those who hurt, and mindful of those doomed by neglect.

These roads teach us what a neighbor really is.

A neighbor is one who will serve a stranger without ceremony.

A neighbor is one who does not flee disaster but lingers to examine and relieve distress.

A neighbor is one who is prepared to help when help is needed.

A neighbor is one who may be lonely and despised yet is compassionate.

A neighbor is one who acts generously out of love, not out of duty alone.

A neighbor is one who refutes slander by good deeds.

A neighbor is one who thinks well of himself and loves others as himself.

A neighbor is one who sees his fellowmen not as Jews, Levites, or priests but as men --

one who thinks of himself as a man among men who are all equal in the sight of God.