Jonny Diaz - Jericho Lyrics
Lyrics
Going down that same old road, probably on his way home
Circumstances changed his plans when he came across a hurting man
Should he stop to help today though others had just walked away?
Deep inside did he really care, and did he have the time to spare?
Jericho, which way to go
Jericho, which way to go, do I have the love to show
Through this testing will my faith prove true?
Will I get dirt upon my knees lifting up the least of these
Showing mercy that I learned from You in Jericho
He bandaged up his broken limbs, food and water gave to him
He paid for all his stay and care, and lifted up this man in prayer
Jericho, which way to go
It's a long way to go, to Jericho I know
Video
Jericho
Meaning & Inspiration
Jonny Diaz's "Jericho," released as part of his 2005 album *Everyday God*, offers a profound meditation on the parable of the Good Samaritan, inviting listeners to a personal reckoning with faith and action. The song doesn't merely retell the biblical narrative; it plunges the listener into the internal struggle of the traveler, mirroring the questions we all face when confronted with suffering. Diaz frames the core dilemma around the biblical story, highlighting the choice between indifference and compassion. The lyrics powerfully capture the moment of decision: "Should he stop to help today though others had just walked away?" This echoes the universal human tendency to look away from hardship, a theme deeply explored throughout Scripture, from the prophet Isaiah's lament about a nation that "sees but does not perceive" (Isaiah 6:9) to Jesus’ own challenge to follow him, which involved taking up one’s cross. The question "Jericho, which way to go" becomes a potent metaphor for life's moral crossroads, a spiritual compass point where our true character is revealed. Diaz’s focus is squarely on the message: the imperative to demonstrate love through tangible acts of mercy. He challenges the listener directly with "do I have the love to show," directly connecting outward action to an inner, Christ-like spirit. This isn't just about a fleeting moment of kindness; it's about a tested faith, a commitment to the least of these as Jesus commanded, particularly in passages like Matthew 25:40 where he states, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." The imagery of "dirt upon my knees" is particularly evocative, signifying a willingness to get personally involved, to engage with suffering in a hands-on, humble way, a stark contrast to the detached observance of those who passed by. The song’s resolution, depicting the Samaritan’s selfless care – bandaging wounds, providing sustenance, and offering prayer – serves as the tangible manifestation of a faith that is "alive and active" (James 1:22). The final line, "It's a long way to go, to Jericho I know," acknowledges the difficulty of consistent, sacrificial love, but it also serves as an inspiring reminder of the ongoing journey of discipleship, a journey marked by the profound impact of showing mercy, just as the Good Samaritan did on that fateful road.