Pilgrim's Progress, continued

Lesson 6

At last Pilgrim arrived at the wicket gate.  He found written over the entrance these words:

"Knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Eagerly he knocked, wondering meanwhile it would be opened to such a sinner as he.  While Pilgrim thought of the experiences that had come to him on the way, he heard a voice asking, "Who is there?"

Then he gladly answered, "It is a poor burdened sinner coming from the City of Destruction and on his way to Mount Zion and the Celestial City.  Please let me in, good sir, for i have been told that this is the only safe way to go."

Goodwill, the keeper of the Gate, opened it and not only allowed Pilgrim to enter but took him by the hand and pull him in quickly.

"Why such hurry?" asked Pilgrim.

"Because there, just a little way from this gate, in that strong fortress, lives Satan and his soldiers.  Every time they see someone come to the Gate they shoot arrows at him to prevent his entering.  Listen!  hear the arrows thud against the gate?  They were meant for you."

Pilgrim shivered as he heard the arrows fall harmlessly to the ground.  If Goodwill had not hurried Pilgrim's entrance he would surely have been hit by one or more of them.   Perhaps some of those arrows were ridicule (being made fun of),  things of the world that are wrong, procrastinating about receiving Christ, etc.

Goodwill inquired about Pilgrim's experiences since he had left the City of Destruction and of the people he had met on the way.  He spoke very highly of Evangelist but called Mr. Worldly Wiseman a cheat and a liar, with which Pilgrim heartily agreed.

"Oh," exclaimed Pilgrim, "how glad I am that after I listened to him and left the right way, I am still received here."

"We do not exclude any," explained Goodwill, "who really wish to enter here, for the Lord says, 'He that comes to me, I will not cast out.'  God's salvation is for 'whosoever will.' "

"Now,"  Mr. Goodwill added, "if you will come with me, I will show you the way you must go."

As they walked together Pilgrim saw that the way they traveled was very straight and very narrow.  "Are there no turnings or windings where a stranger might lose his way?" he asked.

"Oh, yes," answered Goodwill.  There are many ways that cross into this way, but you can always tell which is right.  This road is always straight and narrow and these other ways are both crooked and broad.  Anyone who is watchful will have no difficulty if he wants to find the right way."

"Thank you so much," said Pilgrim, "for all you have done for me.  I can never be thankful enough for your kindness.  But before I leave, sir, could I ask you for one more thing?"

"By all means, do,' replied Goodwill.  "I will do anything I can to help you."

"Can you take this terrible burden off my back?" asked Pilgrim, hopefully.

"No," answered Goodwill.  "That is one thing I cannot do.  But have courage, for soon you will come to the place of deliverance.  there you will lose your burden.  i cannot take if off for you, nor can anyone else.  You will not have far to go until you come to the Interpreter's house.  He will show you excellent things.  Now I must return.  God bless you on your way, sir."

With that Goodwill was gone and Pilgrim went on his way, more cheerful than before.  He had good cause to be cheerful for he had escaped the sharp arrows of Satan and had learned that the Lord Jesus has said, "He who comes to me I will in no wise cast out." 

That is good news for anyone who wants to be saved!  He has promised that whoever believes in Him has everlasting life!  Do you?