The Quest of Christian

Table of Contents

The Quest of Christian

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Come you weary lambs to a place of hope and rest, | I have a refuge for you in greener, brighter lands.

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

All who enter here are welcome | But none shall leave the same

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Christian sighed as the strong, ivory gates closed behind him. He felt afraid to leave the City of Light. However, as a servant to the King, he knew his assignment.

His armor felt heavy as he walked. Back in the city, what the king had asked all seemed so glorious. Now, as he looked at the impending darkness before him he felt unsure. The sun was bright behind him in the city of light. Ahead of him he could see great gloom and he began to wonder if he was ready to make a trip back to the place he had left not so long ago. 

The smell of sweet roses lingered in the air, and Christian knew that he smelled the gardens of the King. He loved the smell and breathed it deeply. Christian wondered how long it would be before he smelled the roses again. 

As he stood at the gates he thought about all that he loved in the great city. He began to remember the events of the past week that led up to this moment. He loved the job the King gave him in the great city. Christian was a carpenter by trade and a very good one.

In the City of light, he had only the best materials to work with and it felt good to have something important to do. He built tall wooden arches along the paths in the city so that the vineyard grapes would grow to provide shade and cool during the heat of the day. He did his work well and was quite happy in it.

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He thought a lot about his family and friends who were still lost in the forest but also grateful that he had found the way to the City of Light. People told him while he was still in the darkness that the Great King was cruel. They said the King would never let someone like Christian enter his beautiful white city. Then he met a kind man named Evan List in the forest one day. Evan lived in the City of light and wanted to help other people find out the truth about the Great King and his city.

Christian smiled to himself as he remembered what Evan told him. Evan told Christian, The things you have learned in the darkness look much different in the light Christian. Are you unhappy in this place? I can show you a better way to be happy and strong. In fact, I live in the Great City and I visit the forest so that I can tell other people how to see the city for themselves.

Christian decided to listen to Evan and when he found the way through the darkness into the light, he knew that he had to get into the City of light. Christian remembered the Watchman at the gate. Instead of a stern soldier ready to destroy him, he met a man dressed in clean clothes and simple garments. Watchman readily opened the door for Christian and Christian was met with such kindness and love that he knew what Evan had told him was true.

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That had all been what seemed like a lifetime ago. Christian had busily set himself to work as a carpenter in the City of Light. He was grateful and happy, but he still thought of those he left behind.

Being a new citizen of the city Christian was quite surprised when the King Himself asked him one day, "Christian, how would you like to go and rescue the prisoners of darkness?

You build strong arches and you tend my gardens well. You are a faithful servant and I want to give you a great opportunity to go back into the forest and rescue those you left behind.

Christian had hesitated and then said bravely even thought he did not feel very brave, I will do anything you ask me to do! I would be quite honored to go and bring my friends back to the city with me.

The King smiled and Christian saw that his whole face beamed with such light it was like looking at the sun. The King said, Yes of course! I knew that you would Christian.  This city is a refuge for many, and a home for some. However, I prefer a refuge and a home to be wherever my servants are.

Christian remembered seeing in the King’s eyes a kind of fire and zeal. It terrified him and thrilled him at the same time. That look made Christian want to please the King more than ever. So, he hesitantly asked, But Lord, what if I am not strong or brave? It was not very long ago when I was lost in the forest myself! What if I get lost and cannot find my way? I do not want to disappoint you, and I want my friends to know how wonderful this place is!

The King smiled gently at Christian and said, Christian, you are going to have companions that travel with you in your journey. I would never send you alone to wrestle with the evils of the darkness. I will give you armor to protect yourself and tools that you will use.

Before Christian could ask any more questions the King had turned to walk away, and Christian’s friends in the city began to congratulate him on the assignment from the great King.

His friend Psalter gave him a flute to play for times of sorrow. Christian had always liked hearing his friend play it. He was not sure he would be any good at it, but Psalter said he would. His friend the Watchman gave Christian his sword of the Spirit, even though Christian did not know how to use it. The Watchman told him that he would learn in battle. Then the Old Wise Man who sat in the King’s court gave Christian his own set of armor and a shield. He told Christian that he would not need it anymore because he was safe in the city and would not make any more journeys into the wilderness. Christian thought he would miss the Wise Man the most because he had learned so much from him.

Christian most wanted one of his friends to go with him on his journey because they were wise, brave, and joyful. However, it had been almost a week since the King had given him his assignment and he still did not know who his companion would be.

Christian had been unable to speak with the King all week but he was ready to make his journey. It had been six days and the King came to Christian. He said to him, Christian, tomorrow you will leave on your quest. Get your final provisions in order this night. Then just like that the King was gone again and Christian still had no chance to ask about whom was traveling with him.

Christian had arisen very early in the morning and now stood outside the city gates. He stood in the coolness of this early morning remembering all these events and felt very afraid, but determined to rescue those that he had left behind who were in great bondage to the darkness.

Just as Christian was about to leave he heard a soft sound behind him. When he turned to see what he had heard he saw a small smiling child. Christian asked, Who are you, and why are you here outside the city gate? This is a dangerous place for a child to be! Aren’t you afraid?

The child smiled and said, "Christian, I am who the king sent to go with you on your journey. My name is Faith. No, I am not afraid because I