Christian was in a certain field reading his Book. As he read from the Book, he felt distressed and cried out, “What shall I do to be saved?” Christian felt like running, but he couldn’t decide which way to run. It was at this moment that a man named Evangelist walked towards him, asked, “Wherefore dost thou cry?”
Christian explained to Evangelist that the contents of the Book in his hand led him to feel condemned for his sin, and that God would bring destruction to his city. Christian wasn’t willing to die, even though it seemed inevitable. Evangelist asked Christian an important question, “Why aren’t you willing to die, since this life is so filled with evil?” If the world that Christian lived in was doomed for destruction, then why should death be avoided? Christian knew the answer, as did Evangelist. Christian said, “I fear that this Burden that is upon my back, will sink me lower than the grave.” Christian was convinced that there was something far worse than physical death, and that was spiritual death (Heb. 9:27). Christian’s burden would sink him below the grave to hell.
Evangelist handed Christian a parchment roll, and there was written within it, “Fly from the wrath to come.” Christian didn’t know where to fly off to. Then Evangelist pointed his finger over a wide field and said, “Do you see yonder Wicket-Gate?” Christian couldn’t see the gate. So Evangelist told Christian to focus his sight on the Light, and the Light would lead to the Wicket-Gate. Once Christian arrived at the Wicket-Gate he was to knock on the door, and it would be told him what he was to do (Matt. 7:7-8).
The Preacher
Evangelist represents the preacher. Christian was in need of a guide, someone who could point him in the right direction. This is the duty of every minister. Preachers are to be able to point people towards the relief they desperately need. Evangelist didn’t point Christian towards himself, rather he pointed him towards the Light and Wicket-Gate. Evangelist wasn’t the answer, but he had the answer. Christian wasn’t able to see the Wicket-Gate clearly, so Evangelist told him to look for the Light. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). Evangelist, like John the Baptist, came to bear witness of the Light. Evangelist wasn’t the light, but came to give testimony of the Light (Jn. 1:6-8).
This story is reminiscent of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts chapter eight. Philip sees the Ethiopian reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked the man, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Ethiopian answered, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” At that moment Philip begins to interpret the passage and told him the good news about Jesus. Together they arrived at some water and Philip baptized the man (Acts 8:26-39).
This is similar to what Evangelist did with Christian. He recognized Christian’s need, and pointed him in the right direction, which was the Wicket-Gate. The Wicket-Gate is in reference to what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13–14).
Evangelist didn’t point Christian towards the easy way. Evangelist pointed him toward the narrow gate. That’s what preachers have to do. People who are hurting, and under the weight of sin need to be told where they can be saved. Christian cried out, “What must I do to be saved?” Christian didn’t ask what he could do to become rich. He didn’t care about material possessions, for he knew that his city was doomed for destruction. Christian wasn’t in need of the prosperity gospel. No, he needed the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Preachers, be sure you know what the Book says, and how to help sinners find the narrow gate of salvation. Physical death wouldn’t let Christian escape the judgment to come. But Evangelist pointed him towards the place where sin and death were conquered, Calvary.