4. Meeting Evangelist

Now I noticed on a particular occasion, when he was walking in the fields, that he was (according to his habit) reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind; and as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, “What shall I do to be saved?” (1) I also saw that he looked this way and that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still because, as I perceived, he could not tell which way to go. I then looked and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him who asked, “For what reason are you crying?” He answered, “Sir, I understand by the book in my hand that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment; (2) and I find that I am not willing to do the first (3) nor able to do the second.” (4) Then said Evangelist, “Why are you not willing to die since this life is accompanied with so many evils?” The man answered, “Because I fear that this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave; and I shall fall into Tophet [a place of burning]. (5) And sir, if I am not fit to go to prison, I am quite sure I am not fit to go to judgment, and as a consequence to execution; and the thoughts of these things make me cry.

John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress

(1) Acts 2:37; 16:30

(2) Hebrews 9:27

(3) Job 16:21-22

(4) Ezekiel 22:14

(5) Isaiah 30:33

1. Can you sense the distress of soul and spirit that Christian is experiencing? Has the state of your soul ever concerned you that greatly?
2. Who do think Evangelist represents in the story? What do you think Evangelist’s job is? Who was the “Evangelist” in your life?
3. As you read through the scripture references, do you see their connection to Christians struggles and the spiritual truths they represent? Can you apply these passages to your own story?
4. Do you see the importance of evangelism for everyone?

“Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die? Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand? Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you damned?” – Leonard Ravenhill