I’m studying Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan as part of a Life Group at church. The Bible is the number one selling book in the world, and Pilgrim’s Progress is number two. Honestly, I couldn’t understand it until I watched the animated version a couple of years ago. Now I’m thoroughly enjoying it. There are several versions available now, from the original King James to modern “easy to read” versions with a lot of pictures (that’s the one I bought). The first thing that confused me was this burden on Christian’s back.
I couldn’t understand why he had a burden from reading the Bible when he wasn’t yet saved. I looked at the burden as something a Christian would bear; the burden being the calling, or the conviction when we know we’re sinning. But the burden is the sin unrepentant man carries with him that only Jesus can remove.
My burden
This misunderstanding says something about my own pilgrimage, how weighed down I was with this burden when I turned away from God for 20+ years. I was a believer, but I wasn’t a follower. I was constantly on the Road to Destruction with a burden that grew heavier and heavier until it broke me down. I’m so thankful for my journey, my own pilgrimage because it led me here.
Bible Verse of the Day
When John Bunyan introduces the burden on Christian’s back, he references:
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
Psalm 38:4 ESV
like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
Prayer
Lord, please increase the weight of the burdens our unsaved loved ones carry that they might seek the One who can remove the weight of sin from their backs. We know that You’ve placed Your existence in the hearts of all mankind but so many choose to ignore what that still small voice inside is telling them. Please, Father, open their hearts and minds to begin their own pilgrimage to salvation, point them in the direction of the Wicket Gate, give each of us encouragement to be an Evangelist to point our loved ones in the direction of The Way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
