By Matt McCullough, TGC. (photo: Christopher Alvarenga/UnSplash)
My favorite character in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress isn’t Christian, the main protagonist, but Hopeful, his steady companion. Bunyan’s allegory of the Christian life follows the twists and turns of Christian’s journey, from his spiritual awakening in the City of Destruction to his home in heaven, the Celestial City.
Christian is the one whose steps we’re meant to follow, but Hopeful is beside him on the way, reminding him of the truth of the gospel, building him up when his spirits are low, warning him when he’s tempted, holding him up when he’s weak, and keeping his eyes always on where they’re going.
My favorite scene is when the pair has finally reached the gates of the Celestial City, separated from it only by the rushing river that represents death. On the banks of this river, Christian is overwhelmed by doubt. As soon as they step into the water, he goes down. His feet can’t feel the bottom. He’s bobbing up and down, gasping for air. He’s utterly convinced he won’t be able to reach the other side.
But just as he’s losing his grip on hope, Hopeful is there, right next to him, guiding him all the way through. He assures Christian he can feel the bottom, though Christian cannot. He reminds Christian of the promises he’s struggling to remember. And he tells Christian what he can see of their destination, until once again Christian sees it for himself. Hopeful’s friendship carries Christian through the river and all the way home.
Bunyan’s vision of Christian friendship fits perfectly with how the author of Hebrews frames our mission in each other’s lives: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (3:12–13). The writer assumes we’re vulnerable to deception and unbelief. But he also assumes we’ll know that about one another, pay attention to each other’s lives, and be willing to guard each other against threats we may not see by ourselves.