Required reading
Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (available from Amazon or free on the internet,
here for example)
- Begin reading the Second Part, up to the paragraph that begins: 'Now my old friend proceeded, and said, but when Christiana came up to the Slough of Despond, she began to be at a stand.'.
My notes and thoughts
Today we officially begin the second part. Bunyan meets Sagacity who begins the story of how Christiana (Christian's wife) began her own pilgrimage. She was overcome with guilt for her sins (particularly those against Christian) and then encounters Secret who tells her that she too can be saved. After Christiana's neighbour Timorous tries to persuade her not to go, she finally leaves with her four boys and another neighbour, Mercy.
I know it wasn't really the focus of today's reading, but I really enjoyed the bonus information we were given today of what was happening to Christian in heaven. They helped fill a particular craving that was left after finishing the first part, namely Christian's interaction with Jesus in heaven. Sagacity tells Bunyan things like: 'Besides, 'tis confidently affirmed concerning him [Christian], that the King of the place where he is, has bestowed upon him already a very rich and pleasant dwelling at court, and that he every day eateth and drinketh, and walketh and talketh with him, and receiveth of the smiles and favours of him that is Judge of all there.' The longer I am a Christian the more I change in what I look forward to about heaven. I have grown less interested in things like the wealth of heaven and the absence of pain and suffering in heaven (although they are indeed wonderful) and much more interested in finally being in heaven with my saviour. To meet face to face the one who gave so much for a sinner like myself, to be in his presence, to speak with him, to praise him - oh I can't wait to be Christian!
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment