My counsel for you is simple and straightforward; just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus the Master, now live Him. You’re deeply rooted in Him. You’re well constructed upon Him. You know the way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into Thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 The Message
Thanksgiving is upon us, and it is once again time to talk about the 102 Pilgrims plus the 30 crew members and their 66 day journey on the Mayflower which culminated in the landing on Plymouth Rock in America. The pilgrimage of these people came about because they were seeking a place where they could practice their religious beliefs freely. History attributes the first Thanksgiving to these Pilgrims and their celebration of a journey for religious freedom successfully completed.
A pilgrim is defined as a traveler who has come from a place afar to a holy place. Typically this journey is a physical journey to a place of some holy significance.
Our travels this past fall took us to the city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain which is the termination point of many pilgrimages. The history of this city is based on Christianity. The history relates that St. James, the first apostle to shed his blood for Christ, became the leader of the church in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrection. According to tradition, he also traveled to Spain to spread the good news and upon his return was martyred in A.D. 44 in Jerusalem when he was ordered beheaded by the sword by King Herod because of his Christian beliefs. Legend has it that his body was brought back to Spain in a small boat led by two angels and was interred in a small coastal town. The exact location of his grave fell into oblivion for centuries.
Around the year 815 a Spanish shephere had a vision of lights shining in the forest. The matter was investigated, and the body of St. James was found. The bishop of a nearby town had his body brought into Santiago and a church built on the site of his tomb.
This shrine began attracting pilgrims from all over, and the number has steadily increased over these many years. For many centuries, the pilgrimage has been made by the wealthy and the poor. It was seen as an enhancement of the spiritual journey to Christ, and the hardships along the way were welcomed as tests of faith.
As we walked into the center of the city’s square, people were gathered awaiting different groups who had made the pilgrimage, some walking for weeks to arrive at this special place. The square was filled with cheers, hugs, laughter, tears, and congratulations as the pilgrims entered the square. There are so many different reasons why people make this pilgrimage, but things such as the challenge, the beauty, the reward, the spiritual significance and religious purposes seem to be the most popular. It was amazing to see people entering the square some carrying crosses, others carrying back packs, and still others running to the center for the completion of their pilgrimage. Each person there was fulfilling their own reason for the pilgrimage.
John Bunyan in his classic novel, Pilgrim’s Progress offers many helpful insights into the Christian life. He pictures the walk as a pilgrimage with all kinds of experiences, trials, temptations, decisions and happenings along the way.
The Christian life is much like a pilgrimage. Each person who walks humbly with the Lord has their own experiences along their walk. Not everything that happens to a Godly person is good. The pilgrimage contains good experiences and bad in the faith journey.
Our Christian pilgrimage can teach us many things, First, we learn that this Christian pilgrimage is an imperfect one. As Christians, we struggle with sin and temptation every day, and there are dark days where defeat seems inevitable. Some of the most righteous people stumble and fall while facing some troublesome situations. Just because we are Christians doesn’t mean we live a charmed life.
The Christian pilgrimage also teaches us to learn to trust. When we take the pilgrimage of faith, we learn to open our life to the Lord and to put complete confidence in Him to help us through any situation.
The Christian pilgrimage also offers us hope. The hope of God’s people can’t be destroyed by circumstances. Christians always know there will be a better day even with death comes victory.
As Christians we are all pilgrims. We step out in faith not knowing the trials before us or the pain or afflictions that might await. The Christian pilgrim is often misunderstood in this world of ours, but we rest in the assurance of His promise! Glory awaits and as Christian pilgrims we maintain a determined discipline of looking forward. What lies ahead will surpass our expectations and defy explanation.
All Christian pilgrims will agree our journey takes us “onward and upward”!