Pilgrim's Progress, continued

Lesson 2

In our first story we learned about the man called Pilgrim, burdened with sins and looking for a way to escape from the judgment that was coming to his town, The City of Destruction and to its inhabitants.

He met Evangelist who gave him instructions to go to a certain gate, called the Wicket Gate, keeping in view a shining light in the distance. We learned that the light is the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "I am the Light of the World!"

Pilgrim ran toward the light as fast as he could, but as soon as his wife and children saw what he was doing, they began to cry, "Stay with us!  Come back! Come back!"

But Pilgrim only put his fingers in his ears so that he could not hear them and ran on crying, "Life! Life! Eternal Life!"  That was more important to him than anything else on earth.

Pilgrim's neighbors joined in the cry with his wife and children, but when he paid no attention to them, two neighbors decided to run after him and bring him back by force.  One of the neighbors was Mr. Obstinate and the other was Mr. Pliable.

Perhaps you know the definition of obstinate.  It means "stubborn" or "stiff-necked."  Mr. Obstinate was like his name.  He was a very stubborn man.  He and Mr. Pliable ran quickly and soon they had overtaken Pilgrim.

"Why, neighbors," said Pilgrim, "why do you come this way in such a hurry?"

"To persuade you to come back with us," they answered.

"Oh, no," replied Pilgrim, "I cannot go back with you to the City of Destruction, for sooner or later it will surely be destroyed in God's judgment.  It would be far better for you to come with me to the City for which I am looking."

"What!" exclaimed Mr. Obstinate, "Do you mean for us to leave our comforts and pleasures to go with you?"

"Yes," answered Pilgrim, "for the place I seek is filled with joy which is far greater than all the pleasures you have here.  The pleasures and comforts you know here are but for a little while, but the inheritance I seek is eternal.  It can never be spoiled, and it never changes.  Here, neighbor, take my Book and read it for yourself."

Mr. Obstinate would not even look at the Book, but demanded that Pilgrim return with them at once.  When Pilgrim steadfastly refused, Mr. Obstinate said to Mr. Pliable, "Come then, Neighbor Pliable, let us return without him.  He is crazy and you cannot reason with such a person."

Then Mr. Pliable surprised his friend by saying, "If the things Pilgrim says are true, the place he speaks about is better than ours, and I think I will go with him."

"What!" exclaimed Mr. Obstinate, "Would you be so foolish, too?  Be wise and return with me."

"No, do come with me," said Pilgrim.  "All the things I said are true, and many more glorious things as well.  See, you can read about them in the Book."

"I will go," said Mr. Pliable, "if you are sure you know the way to this wonderful place."

"Very well," said Mr. Obstinate. "Go if you please, but I will have nothing to do with such foolishness.  I will return alone to my place."

So he did.  He refused to hear the evidence from the Book about the truth of the things which Pilgrim had said concerning the coming judgment and the only way of escape which God had provided.

Many boys and girls are like Mr. Obstinate.  They will not listen to the message of the Book.  They don't believe that they are sinners and are not interested in God's way of salvation.

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