The summer I was six, my mother read Pilgrim’s Progress aloud to us.
Pilgrim’s Progress is a beautiful allegory written by John Bunyan. I still remember that day. The day she read to us of when the character Christian, on his journey, comes to the cross. On his journey, Christian has been carrying a burden - a burden so heavy he can hardly walk. The journey is life, and the burden is sin. When Christian comes to the cross and his burden is taken away, he is free. Free. Free from the weight of his sin and free to live for the King! I wanted to be free from the weight of my sin, free to live for the King. And so, my mother, gently shared with me how to trust Jesus - trust that He bore the weight of the punishment for my sin at the cross. Water is heavy. As we hit the trail with nearly 70 pounds on our backs, facing heat and elevation, all we could think about was our packs. And with every step, I was also thinking about Pilgrim’s Progress. Allegory is powerful because it tells the same story we are living, but in a new way, to give us new eyes to see our lives. If anyone had offered to carry my pack to the top of the mountain, I am pretty sure I would have given him everything I own. Jesus offers to take our burdens. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 Should we not then gladly join Timothy in saying: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17 How often do I return to the weight of my sin, and attempt to carry it again? Living for my own kingdom? But Jesus offers us lasting freedom. What Grace from a King who left the throne room of heaven, came to earth, took the form of a man, and died a death He did not deserve. Grace upon grace.
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