Are You on a Pilgrimage?

Definition of Pilgrimage: A journey to a sacred place. A long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose.

Today we will look at one of the many lessons Jesus had taught his Disciples about. We know that in Chapter 5 of Matthew and the next few chapters are called the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was focusing his lessons not for the general populace, but for his Disciples as we can see right from the start in Matthew 5:1-2 “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,” Many think he was talking to the multitude, but what Jesus was trying to do was to get away and spend time with his disciples. I am not sure who else sees it this way or even speaks of the “sermon on the mount” as not a sermon to the masses but as a teaching experience for his disciples. Jesus right from the start begins to tell them the spiritual walk that draws us closer and closer to him and his Father. Each verse seems to point to a particular step which we do and will face as we draw closer to God as we begin to grow in our relationship with Him. So let us look at each step that Jesus was showing his Disciples that day on the mount.

Verse 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” We are first poor in spirit, for we are not right with God. We become blessed for we have come to see our spiritual lacking and we want to draw closer to Him.

Verse 4 “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” When we realize and repent of our wicked ways our spirit mourns for our past transgressions against God, but He comforts us for He sees in our hearts and knows we are truly repentant.

Verse 5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” We become humble and not prideful (we do not try to justify our past mistakes) before God and we turn our lives over to His will.

Verse 6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” As we begin to draw closer to God our spirit hungers and thirsts for more truth, revelations, anointing, etc. from God. It is by God that we are sustained and that our spirit is refreshed.

On a side note I would like to share with you an experience that I have had many a time. When my wife and I have gotten into some deep studying, this has happened when we have studied with others, time will go by and I mean hours and none of us feel a sense of hunger or thirsting. Our bodies I feel and believe are sustained by the spirit and not by any other means. Those are good times if I do say so myself.

Verse 7 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” As we continue to draw even closer, our spirit feels sorrowful and caring for we want others to have what we have and for them to share in this salvation and eternal life.

Verse 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Through our spiritual walk our hearts become pure for we have no selfish desires. We have no ulterior motives but truly desire that deeper relationship with God and to mirror our lives after His son Jesus.

Verse 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” By this time we have become those that then share, preach, teach and witness what we know and come to have in our relationship with God. At this time we have now built a strong foundation and we will need it for the next and last steps in our walk.

Verse 10 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” By building upon all the previous steps we make ourselves targets for the world to focus on for our very lives become a light that not only shines in a dark world but we become known as an enemy to it.

Verse 11-12 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” This is the final step for when we have grown so close to Jesus and our Heavenly Father that the World will turn on you like a wild animal. The World will do all sorts of evil against you to break the relationship that you have made between you and God. The World will hate you for what you have and because you stand for everything that the World is against.

By the end of these words Jesus give us we can know where we stand when it comes to the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us rejoice in the surety that we are not alone in this, that others have face similar and at times even worse things than what we have gone through and that we will be found in good company.

Where are you in your Pilgrimage?