William Lane, in his book Hebrews: A Call to Commitment, reminds us that as disciples of Jesus, we are pilgrims in this world. He writes,
“In the same intense way that the patriarchs sought a homeland (Hebrews 11:14), Christians seek the City which is to come (Hebrews 13:14). The people of God are called to be a pilgrim people.” (p. 161)
But what does it mean for Christians to be pilgrims?
Pilgrims Travel Toward a Destination
To be a pilgrim means we are on a journey toward a new home. Abraham didn’t know exactly where God was leading him, but he trusted the One who called him. Likewise, we may not fully grasp what the New Creation will be like, but we trust God to bring us there.
One of the weaknesses of the Western Church is our reluctance to truly talk about the importance of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News about God’s Kingdom coming into the world through Jesus, so we can be rescued from Satan, sin, and death.
As I prepared my spring sermon series in 2023 called Asking for a Friend, I answered questions about death, hell, and resurrection. It hit me as I studied for those messages how little I had taught on these topics. Much of our teaching focuses on making the most of life here and now. While being good stewards of what God has given us is important, following Jesus isn’t about securing our best life now—it’s about living in anticipation of what God has prepared for us.
The Bible is clear: life is hard. It is full of struggles, disappointments, tragedies, and broken relationships. This is the reality of living in a world corrupted by sin. Our hope, then, shouldn’t be in achieving comfort or success in this life, but in the promise of life in the New Jerusalem. Being a pilgrim means setting our hope not on the American Dream but on the Kingdom of God.
Pilgrims Travel Lightly
A pilgrim doesn’t settle down but moves forward toward their destination. That means traveling lightly, letting go of what might slow them down.
We often struggle with traveling light. We want to put down roots and build a life around what we can have now. The rich young ruler couldn’t follow Jesus because he was too attached to his wealth. How many of us miss opportunities to follow Jesus because we’re too attached to our jobs, homes, hobbies, or even relationships? Instead of stepping into the unknown of a faithful life, we cling to what is familiar.
The more we have, the more we have to lose—and the more reluctant we are to take risks for God’s Kingdom. One way to break our attachment to material things is through generosity. Giving freely helps us travel lightly, keeping our hearts fixed on God rather than on what we possess.
Pilgrims Trust Their Guide
A pilgrim doesn’t know the way—they rely on a guide. We don’t know the full path ahead, so we trust God to lead us. He guides us through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, navigating us through the mountains and valleys of life.
But are we truly trusting Him if we set conditions on our obedience? Do we say, “I’ll follow You, God, but only if it doesn’t require too much sacrifice, too much giving, too much inconvenience”? Trusting God means taking the next step, even when we don’t see the whole path.
Pilgrims Travel Together
Finally, a pilgrim doesn’t travel alone. To be a Christian is to journey with others toward the same destination. The Church is a fellowship of believers—encouraging, supporting, and bearing one another’s burdens along the way.
As we move toward the New Creation, let’s remember that we are pilgrims in this world. Our eyes must stay fixed on Jesus, the One who has gone before us and prepared the way. Let’s travel lightly, holding the things of this world loosely. Let’s trust God to provide for us. And let’s walk this road together, encouraging one another as fellow pilgrims on the journey home.
Paul’s Ponderings
Reflecting on the truth that transforms.
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