‘The early Christians had no fear of death—but rather they faced it with eager anticipation.
A joy which took a man cheerfully to his death for the sake of One he could not see, made a profound impression, on the ancient world. Joyful Christian lives, and even more, joyful Christian deaths were major factors that attracted non-Christians to Christ.’
—Michael Green
In John Bunyan’s famous dream, his hero, Christian, is on a journey. He is fleeing from the City of Destruction with a book in his hands and a burden on his back. He is on his way to the Celestial City. It is a journey with many difficulties and hardships, but ahead lies the prospect of the wonderful goal, the City gleaming in all its splendour.
Life and prayer are an exploration: the call to adventure on a journey of seeking and deepening relationship with the Living God. There are no points of arrival this side of eternity, simply waymarks and memory stones on the way.’
Roy Searle
Earlier on in Bunyan’s story Christian and his companion Hopeful arrive in the ‘Delectable Mountains’. There some shepherds guide them to the top of a hill called ‘Clear’ from which there is a view of the distant Celestial City. The two pilgrims are given a glass (telescope) in order for them to see more clearly their final destination and goal. However, the shepherds also show them what lies ahead before they reach the end of their journey—a route with many problems, difficulties and dangers. Because of this the two pilgrims’ hands ‘shake with fear, yet they thought they saw something like the gate, and also some of the glory of the place.’
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4
Distant views catch our interest. The wider expanse opens up new horizons and takes us out of the narrow confines of our own inner self-centered worlds. The sight of distant places excites adventure and stirs in us the pilgrim spirit.
To spend some time in our own ‘Delectable Mountains’ will, with the eyes of faith, open up some glorious views! We journey towards a wonderful new world, a better country – a heavenly one. If we ‘set our minds on things above‘, we can catch a glimpse of the glory to come for us as followers of Jesus. Perhaps we might even hear the bells of the City ringing to encourage us on.
‘Then I heard in my dream that all the bells in the City rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them; “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” “Blessing and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb (Jesus), for ever and ever.” (Revelation 5:13). And after that they shut the gates, which, when I had seen, I wished myself among them.’
Closing words of Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’.
A Listening Heart 