Pilgrims of Promise (61 page)

Many fear their reputation, but few their conscience. Yet have a care. The conscience can be a tyrant as well. It is not always a proper master.

There should be no war between faith and reason. Our faith is reasonable, though it does not stand or fall upon logic. After all, it stands on grace, and that is not logical at all.

We are not called to know all things, but to trust the One who does.

Unlike the intellect, faith has no bounds; it is a gift of the Infinite.

In this world of sorrows we do not often have pure choices. So when two virtues are in collision, we are to pray for the wisdom to choose the higher.

When we seek joy, we ought to seek it humbly, for we shall not be joyful until our old affections are taken away. When we seek patience, we must do so carefully, for we shall not have it until ours has been greatly tested. When we seek wisdom, we should tremble, for first we must be stripped of all that we thought was true.

Who we are is not how we look, from whence we’ve come, or what we have. We are not what we do, nor even what we think. Nay, in the end, who we are is what we love.

It is good that God’s love for us does not depend on our love for Him.

The wax walls of the honeycomb are like the words of man’s knowledge. But the hive is far more than walls of wax. It is in the emptiness of the waiting cell where the true wonder lies. It is the airy place that will soon fill with sweetness.

Even so, truth is not confined to things known. Rather, it also dwells in the spaces between the words, in the silence of the cells, in the mystery. To be sure, as the worker bees enlarge the hive, they add more wax around more air. Likewise, as we increase in knowledge, we, too, add more mystery.

Lead by serving; it is the way of wisdom.

We followers of the Christ are called His sons and daughters. That, above all else, is our true selves.

To live free, live for something greater than yourself.

Draw from the past, for it is a deep well of wisdom. Keep an eye on the future, for there is hope. But do not fail to live for today, for it is what binds wisdom and hope together.

Ad Amairem Dei Gloriam

READERS’ GUIDE

W
hat is the current condition of your life? Do you struggle with close personal relationships? Are you controlled by negative emotions or destructive behavior patterns? Do you feel as though you don’t belong or even wonder why you were born? Are you terrified by the future and what it holds? If any of these issues plagues your daily existence, there is good news! The Bible says, “You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Rom. 8:15-17
NKJV
).

This truth is beautifully illustrated by the continuing story of Heinrich of Weyer. Having gained newfound freedom of spirit in Christ, our hero faces new sorrows and trials as he continues his journey. His resolve and determination are tested, but as he grows in greater understanding of the truth of God’s love, he experiences renewed joy as well. Maria, conceived in sin, yet tender of spirit and beautifully made in the image of her Creator, becomes the child of Heinrich’s heart—his own in every way that matters. In a surprising twist of fate, he is reunited with his longtime friend Blasius, son of the dreaded Gunnars. Through the power of forgiveness, Heinrich seeks to be restored to relationship with his son Wil. Every step of the way, God is calling him out of his old ways, desiring to make him whole, righteous, and one with his heavenly Father.

The apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17). Yet adoption is not always a smooth transition. Like Heinrich, we must decide where we belong. Do we return to the old way—with its pain, suffering, and bondage? To the sin that is comfortable and easy in its familiarity? Or do we pursue the promise of life in Christ, which alone brings joy, honor, and liberty? True freedom is experienced to the extent we are enabled to leave behind forever those things that hinder and enslave us. We must be willing to say to ourselves, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). Such is the heart of a true pilgrim.

Chapter 1

1. Despite their miraculous escape from the slave ship, the crusaders suffer additional losses. As they bury their dead, Pieter paraphrases Psalm 34: “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be always in my mouth.” Why is it necessary to praise Him at all times? Why is this often so difficult, particularly in tragic situations? What effect does praise have on our circumstances?

2. Heinrich chooses to set aside his grief in order to help the surviving crusaders. How does he exemplify the role of a servant? What does Pieter mean when he says, “Our God is a God of scars. Wounded people serve others well”? In what ways has suffering or loss in your own life affected your ability to relate to others?

Chapter 2

3. Why are the children afraid to return home? Are their fears reasonable? What does Pieter’s message convey about the true meaning of success? In your own life, have you defined success and accomplishment according to the world’s standard or the standard of faith? In what ways can even the most simple, unremarkable life achieve great things in the kingdom of God?

4. How does Heinrich respond to Pieter’s question about where he truly belongs? Given Heinrich’s new freedom of spirit, why does he still find his identity in his old, bound, miserable existence? How is this similar to the behavior of the Israelites in the Old Testament? Have you ever found it easier to return to “things familiar” than to trust God in a new and better place?

5. When the crusaders are rejected and despised by the people of Genoa, Pieter is challenged by one of the children who asks him, “Should we forgive them, Father?” How does Pieter’s response reveal the changes in his heart and attitudes? What lesson has he learned about forgiveness and judgment?

Chapter 3

6. Like a young Robin Hood, Paul devises a plan to plunder the wealthy of Genoa before leaving for Rome. What is most disturbing about this situation? Are the children justified in stealing what should have been offered to them?

Chapter 4

7. Psalm 23 says, “The L
ORD
is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul…. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” How does this psalm illustrate the refuge the weary children find at San Fruttuoso? What does this Scripture reveal about God’s compassion, provision, and love for us in the midst of trials and suffering?

8. Wil struggles mightily with his anger toward his father—some of which is perhaps understandable, but much is the fruit of seeds planted by his mother and others. Why does he find it so hard to forgive his father? Should he have a deeper compassion for the imperfections of others, given his own recent failings? What significant truth does Frieda share with Wil about the power of forgiveness?

Chapter 5

9. Pieter is outraged to find that Maria has been “sold” to the neighboring lord’s home as a servant. Is his anger justified? How has Maria fared under the lord’s care? Are there times in our lives when God can use difficult or even “wrong” circumstances to bless us? How is this truth illustrated by the story of Joseph, as told in Genesis chapters 37, 39-45?

Chapter 6

10. Heinrich struggles with the choices he has made in life and doubts his worthiness of God’s mercy. How does Brother Stefano challenge Heinrich to think beyond the confines of simple forgiveness? Do you ever find it hard to understand how God can forgive the mistakes you’ve made? How does considering God’s perfect and unfailing love—rather than whether or not you “deserve” forgiveness—change your perspective?

11. Does it seem ironic that while Wil refuses to forgive his father, he worries over his own betrayal of his sister, Maria? Is it true that “men want justice … except for themselves, in which case they want mercy”? What is the inherent consequence of living with this type of attitude?

Chapter 7

12. Heinrich rescues Tomas and pays a hefty price for his freedom. Given Tomas’s defection and hostility toward Heinrich and Wil, is he really deserving of the help he is given? How is this similar to the redemption Jesus offers each one of us?

13. What does Wil’s reaction to Tomas reveal about his character? Why does he have such trouble offering and receiving grace? Is it possible for grace to be earned? How does pride cause us to miss out on many of God’s greatest gifts?

Chapter 8

14. When Wil asks for Maria’s forgiveness, she gives it freely and joyfully. What does Maria mean when she says she “saw a bit of heaven”? How might seeing heaven change your outlook on earthly matters? Why is the hope of heaven usually not enough to influence us in the same way?

15. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the L
ORD
is to be praised.” How does this Scripture reflect on Lucia and the painful lesson Wil learned of her true character? How does Frieda—who is beautiful in her own right—demonstrate qualities of higher virtue and worth?

Chapter 9

16. Heinrich is very disturbed to learn that his wife was unfaithful to him and consequently gave birth to Maria. What extra measure of angst is due to the likelihood that Pious is Maria’s biological father? Is it easy to understand Heinrich’s desire to have the truth of Pious’s treachery known publicly? What is more important from God’s point of view—that Heinrich be vindicated or that Maria be spared the shame and rejection of her illegitimacy?

17. Pieter tells Heinrich, “Sometimes we need to guard against our conscience. It is not always a proper master.” Is this surprising advice? Is the conscience always a true moral compass according to God’s standards? If not, what consequences might result from choosing the conscience as a guide, rather than the Word of God or the leading of the Holy Spirit?

Chapter 10

18. When the pilgrims return to the site of Georg’s grave, Heinrich reaches out to Maria and finally declares that she is his daughter and that he shall be her father. How is this moment significant for both of them? Does God define the role of a father as simply biology or something greater? In what way are we all “illegitimate” like Maria? How would we respond if God failed to extend His acceptance and love to any one of us? How can this lesson be applied to those who face similar real-life situations today?

Chapter 11

19. Heinrich briefly encounters his old friend Blasius after witnessing a battle between the Templars and another band of knights. How do the Templars treat Blasius, whom they capture and accuse of betrayal? Would a true traitor be worthy of such treatment? Why is a difference in opinion so threatening to the establishment of the Roman Church and its soldiers?

20. Heinrich, Pieter, Tomas, and the others attempt to rescue Blasius and in the process set the entire town of Burgdorf on fire. Are their efforts heroic or merely destructive? Is the price paid in lives and property worth the life of one man? Is it possible that God is using the pilgrims to bring judgment on the city? What past biblical events suggest that might be a possibility?

Chapter 12

21. How do the events at Burgdorf bring about a turning point in Tomas’s life? Given his typical hostility and disregard for others, why is he moved to such grief over the destruction he helped set in motion? What is significant about Wil’s offered forgiveness and friendship?

22. Blasius—or Alwin—reveals the events that led to his capture by the Templars. What caused him to become disillusioned with the “holy war” he was fighting? Is there truth to the saying that “the conscience is reached by love”? Is there ever an appropriate time for the use of force, and if so, when?

Chapter 13

23. Death and destruction follow the pilgrims to the town of Olten. Are they somehow to blame for the disaster that follows them? Should they surrender (as Alwin attempts to do) in hopes of sparing others, or are they justified in fleeing for their lives? Would the powers that pursue them really be satisfied with their surrender?

24. Dorothea is a remarkable woman of kindness, strength, and bravery. What distinguishes her from other wealthy and influential citizens the pilgrims have encountered on their journey? Is the courage that she displays in the face of evil for naught? What is the inevitable consequence of her generosity? (See Matt. 25:34-46; Mark 9:36-37, 41.)

Chapter 14

25. When the pilgrims are trapped in the town of Olten, many circumstances conspire to open the door for their escape. How does each member of their company manage to escape unscathed? Is this sufficient evidence of God’s protection and intervention in their lives? Is there really such a thing as coincidence?

Chapter 15

26. Rudolf is welcomed home by the open arms and joyful hearts of his family without one suggestion of any supposed “failure” on crusade. What sets this family apart from so many others—even that of Heinrich and Marta? What role does faith, expressed as a simple, trusting relationship with the Creator, play in their lives?

Chapter 16

27. Is it surprising that discrimination against Jews was rampant even in the thirteenth century? What seeds are sown that will germinate in Germany hundreds of years later? Is there ever any “new” face on an old evil?

Chapter 17

28. When the pilgrims arrive in Weyer, some of those returning are overcome with emotion and rejoice to see the familiar sights of home. Is Weyer really worthy of such kind regard? Are Heinrich’s hopes realistic or is he choosing to ignore the truth? What is he really responding to?