Sentenced to Life

Journey to the Celestial City #60. In our continuing look at John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” today we find the man, Christian, along with his companion, Faithful, awaiting the jury’s verdict as regards the latter. The jurors’ answer cannot help but return with condemnation considering their names: “Mr. Blindman, Mr. No-good, Mr. Malice, Mr. Love-lust, Mr. Live-loose, Mr. Heady, Mr. High-mind, Mr. Enmity, Mr. Liar, Mr. Cruelty, Mr. Hatelight, Mr. Implacable (not to be appeased).” Thus 12 angry men determine Faithful’s fate (except with a different result?). From the foremen’s opening words (Mr. Blindman): “I see clearly that this man is a heretic,” to Mr. Implacable’s conclusion: “Might I have all the world given me, I could not be reconciled to him; therefore let us forthwith bring him guilty of death,” a good man is sentenced to die (/to life!). So Faithful is scourged, buffeted, lanced, stoned, pricked and lastly, burned at the stake. But upon dying he is rescued via heavenly chariot and received into glory. And our stories don’t end here. Isn’t it true? Our stories don’t end here, but continue “further up and further in.” And even if we are killed we really do go on living (if our faith is in Jesus Christ). “‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies.'” (John 11:25) “‘He (God) is not the God of the dead but of the living.'” (Matthew 22:32b) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to “Pilgrim’s Progress Series” in the left sidebar.) pp 88-90