Pilgrimage in the Bible
A journey out of the heart of darkness, into the heart of God
In our culture, it has to be acknowledged that the word “pilgrimage” may be used to describe a variety of activities. People talk of going on a pilgrimage to a football stadium, or to somewhere associated with a particular celebrity. There may not be any formal religious motivation in the traditional sense. Rather, the journey involves a place considered special to the individual concerned, where they can show their respect. Alternatively there may be some moral motivation, such as a sponsored activity.
Within the Bible, the idea of being a pilgrim may help us understand our walk with God. Psalm 84.5, for example, reads “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage”. However, the practice of pilgrimage within the Bible is not developed in a particularly overt way. The word “pilgrim” is only encountered a very few times and even then, what is translated “pilgrim” in some versions is rendered using another word in others. For example, in Hebrews 11.13 the word “pilgrim” in one version is translated as “strangers”, “foreigners” or “refugees” in others. If nothing else, this gives an indication of how we are meant to view our time here on Earth!
Pilgrimage and the Way
Nonetheless, though it is translated in different ways, there is a consistent concept of a pilgrimage as a heavenly 'way' into the Kingdom of God. The word “way” is used deliberately here. In John 14.1-7, Jesus was teaching about his Father’s house which prompted the disciple Thomas to ask “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?“. Jesus then revealed “I am the way…”
Interestingly, in Psalm 84.5 referenced above, the word “pilgrimage” appears in the New International Version (NIV) but as “ways” the King James version where the whole verse is “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.”
The Way and reconciliation
Key to understanding this claim is the recognition that all of creation is in a fallen state because of sin. Sins are those God-denying actions and attitudes that separate us from his peace and, often unwittingly, hold us captive. Progressively the Bible reveals the way out of this captivity; Exodus, the second book of the Bible, also means ‘the way out’ from the Greek ‘ex-’ (out of) and ‘hodos’ (way). It recounts how Moses led the Israelites out of their slavery in Egypt and prefigures Jesus’ mission to show mankind the way back to God, out of the slavery of sin.
Finding the Way
The aim of the Pilgrimage of the Word is to assist in following the Way of Jesus, through better understanding of the Bible. It is here that the concept of pilgrimage is developed, as a way of symbolically acting out the journey.
As a starting point, it is important to keep in mind what the Bible itself says about seeking and finding God. At one time it was a dispute between Jews and Samaritans as to where God could best be worshiped. Was it Mount Zion in Jerusalem as the Jews believed, or Mount Gerizim as the Samaritans believed? Instead, in direct response to this, Jesus revealed that it was neither. For:
“A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem." Instead "a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4.21 and 23-24
Following the Way
In fact, God may be found anywhere; there is no need for us to travel to some special physical location to experience his presence. Nevertheless, as the apostle James recognised, we still have to seek Him: “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4.8
The Pilgrimage of the Word may be used to facilitate seeking God, the pilgrimage metaphor being used to make a type of spiritual journey in search of truth and wisdom. Here the anticipation is that we will encounter God in Scripture through a contemplative journey of prayer and reflection. Whilst not a requirement, some Christians still find it helpful to act out their spiritual journey in the form of either a reflective journey or an actual, physical, pilgrimage, in a similar manner to a Nativity or Passion play.
When followers of Jesus do decide go on pilgrimage, they travel somewhere that is special to their faith. It is a journey to a destination with religious significance. The destination might be a place in the Holy Land; a place associated with the history of the Church such as Ephesus, Rome, Canterbury or Lindisfarne; or it could be buildings, landscapes, beaches or mountains that have personal significance and associations. If you sense the necessary prompting, then any holiday can become a pilgrimage (the word ‘holiday’ comes from the Old English words hālig ‘holy’ and dæg ‘day’, originally referring to special religious days.)
Frequently the journey itself matters as much as the destination. It gives the pilgrim time to think and pray, to enjoy the environment and to experience the company of those on the same journey and people encountered on the way. Whatever form it takes, the purpose is to attain something of significance to the pilgrim’s beliefs and faith, to come away with their faith in God enhanced.
Pilgrimage of the Word
To support your journey, the Pilgrimage of the Word suggests four steps for the journey and four options of different types of pilgrimage. Click on these links to find out more.