Life of Discipleship (Daily Encouragement)
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6
As we begin our journey through the “Psalms of Ascent” (Psalm 120-134) over the next few months, it is helpful to understand their purpose for both the Old Testament nation of Israel (context it was written) and for New Testament followers of Jesus.
The Hebrew people would “climb the road to Jerusalem” to worship three times at year – Feast of Passover, Feast of Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacle. On the road, they would sing the “Songs of Ascent” to prepare and celebrate. The Feast were great reminders of what God had accomplished in rescuing them, leading them, and providing for them. These realities were taught and celebrated at the feasts and then the people lived into these realities in daily discipleship in between the feast.
Two pictures we get of God’s people that translate to followers of Jesus are “disciples” and “pilgrims”. Eugene Peterson put it this way:
Disciple says we are people who spend our lives apprenticed by our master, Jesus Christ. We are in a growing-learning relationship, always”.
Pilgrim tells us we are people who spend our lives going someplace, going to God, and who path for getting there is the way, Jesus Christ.
This is summed up by Jesus when his disciples are troubled and he calls them to believe in Him and that he is preparing a place for them with God. He calls them to follow Him and says “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Just as the pilgrims of the Old Testament journeyed on the road to the presence of God in Jerusalem, we are called to journey on the road by following Jesus who has brought us into the very presence of the Father.
“For those who choose to live no longer as tourists but has pilgrims, the Songs of Ascent combine all the cheerfulness of a travel song with the practicality of a guidebook and map.” (Peterson)