A Pilgrim's Progress

Shoulders hunched, the man plods through life, straining with every step to carry the great burden on his back. It has been his night and day companion. Not once has he known relief from its merciless weight.

The man’s name is Christian, the central character in John Bunyan’s classic allegory, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” In one moving scene from the book, Christian finds the path to Salvation. Up the hill he staggers until he reaches the peak.

There he sees a wooden cross and just before it an empty sepulcher. As he nears the cross a miracle occurs! The straps binding the massive weight to his shoulders loosen, and his load tumbles away into the sepulcher’s waiting mouth; never to be seen again.

A delicious feeling of lightness buoys Christian’s body, and joyous tears of relief stream down his face. Three Shining Ones then approach him. The first announces, 

“Thy sins be forgiven you.” 

The second strips away his rags and dresses him in splendid clothes. The third hands him a sealed scroll, which, he is to present upon the entrance to the Celestial City.

Overwhelmed by his newfound freedom, Christian sings,

Thus far did I come laden with my sin

Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in

Til I came hither. What a place is this!

Must here be the beginning of my bliss?

Must here the burden fall off from my back?

Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?

Bless Cross! Blest sepulcher! Blest rather be

The Man that was put to shame for me!

In this brief scene, Bunyan eloquently dramatizes the message that we are all pilgrims, encumbered, by a crushing load of sin. When we stumble to the Cross, God releases our burdens.

Burying them forever in Christ’ own grave.

(Rev. Elwood Kern)