Released into Joy

Journey to the Celestial City #19. In our continuing look at John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," today we find the man, Christian, leaving the care of the Interpreter. He enters into the highway of Salvation, yet he's greatly slowed by the burden on his back. Thus he comes to the place where a cross stands. His burden is loosed and falls away. Christian sheds tears of joy and gratitude as the "waters [are made to run] down his cheeks." And it's through our belief in Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead that our burden of sin is lifted and we are made free from it. Oh, the wonders and depth of Jesus' love! He's given us "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness." (Isaiah 61:3bcd) 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 29-30