The Way of the Lord: Christian Pilgrimage Today
Reviewed by Paula R. Kincaid, July 30, 1999
The Way of the Lord: Christian Pilgrimage Today was written in part to help people traveling to the Holy Land “to have their eyes, ears and hearts open to the many dimensions of meaning that can be found and experienced there,” but also as encouragement to all Christians, “to engage in the pilgrimage that really counts, joining the great company who, as St. John says, ‘follow the Lamb wherever he goes.'”
Author Tom Wright discusses the places that Jesus visited, using Old and New Testament stories to explain their significance. He then explains how these sites, whether we actually see them in person, or just read about them, relate to our lives as Christians.
He shows Christians how we should travel The Way of the Lord – from the Jordan, to the wilderness, to Galilee, to Jerusalem, up to the mountain, to Gethsemane, to the cross and from the Tomb.
By interweaving help to those preparing for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and encouragement to believers, Wright has produced a book with a unique look at how Christians should follow The Way of the Lord.
To the wilderness
For example, in chapter three, “The Way to the Wilderness,” Wright says “You are never far from the wilderness when you’re in the Promised Land.” Just a few miles to the south or south-east of Jerusalem, or to the north-east across the Jordan, is the desert. “When you’re in Jerusalem, the wilderness is just over the next hill.”
In relating the wilderness to the spiritual journey of believers, he says many Christians writers think a necessary part of the Christian pilgrimage is that “we shall be called to travel through the wilderness.”
“The wilderness is the place of temptation,” he says. It also “is the place where we are to learn new things about ourselves and God.” When Christians find themselves in the wilderness they should not ask “Why” or “When?” but “What? What am I supposed to make of this?” and “Who? Who do I discover myself to be in the wilderness? And, even more important, who do I discover God to be?”
‘He is not here, he is risen’
Wright encourages a trip to the Holy Land, saying, “One can learn to discover the presence of God not only in the world, as though by a fortunate accident, but through the world.” But he cautions readers, “‘Come see the place’ is important, but must be balanced with “He is not here; he is risen.'”
As one who will probably never make an actual pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I still found the book full of valuable information. It’s not just for the traveler, it’s for the Christian – to learn about the places Jesus visited and to learn about our spiritual journey.
Wright lays out a map for our Christian pilgrimage. May we all follow The Way of the Lord and be blessed by doing so.