The Christian is a Pilgrim

A Pilgrim – strangers and exiles. Associated words used “sojourn” – temporary resident. Example of asylum seekers – earnestness, risk-taking, single-minded obsession.

Now what is a pilgrim? Definitions. “a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.”

Bunyan wrote his “The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come” published 1678 – translated into 100+ languages.

Jesus prayed for his disciples as though they were pilgrims – strangers who didn’t belong to this world – Jn.17:16 “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

Abraham – the model pilgrim: God called, Abraham left and went!

Gen.12:1-4. “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy–five years old when he departed from Haran.”

 Many folk limit their imitation of Abraham to a trip to a physical location but Hebrews makes it very clear that pilgrimage for Abraham had an altogether different dimension – no earthly city of country was his goal – his sights were set on Heaven. Heb.11:8-16 esp.v.10, 13,16. “For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God…” “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth…” “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

1.       Here is not home (nor for that matter is any other place on earth)

2.       Where is home then? – cf. Phil.3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

3.       How can we get there?

                                    i.             We need to start!

                                  ii.             Ask directions – Ps.43:3 “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” ; Ps.119:19 "I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!”

                                iii.             Prepared to count upon God – Ps.84:5 “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.”

a)       Progress with fear – cf.1Pe.1:17 “And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,”

b)       Rejoicing in God’s directions – Ps.119:54 “Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.”

c)       Keeping the final destination in mind – how? Cf.Mt.6:19 ““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Lk.12:33 “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” Cf. Jer.50:5 “They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, let us join ourselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.’”

d)       Keeping on even when exposed to persecution and to being despised by others – Ps.84:7 “They go from strength to strength;each one appears before God in Zion.” ; Jn.17:14 “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

e)       Mindful that our Lord Jesus has trod this path ahead of us – cf. Lk.9:58 “And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” and is thus able to understand and sympathise with us. Heb.4:14-16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

f)        Careful living – Mt.6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” ; 1Pe.2:11 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

g)       Urging others to join them – No.10:29 “And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father–in–law, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the LORD has promised good to Israel.”

h)       Remember what is God’s attitude towards those who behave thus: Heb.11:16 “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”   

To learn more of the Pilgrim's destination follow the link - Heaven.