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Spirit not Spots

What does Jerusalem have in common with the Kumano Ancient Trail, the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, Mount Kailash, Pilgrim’s Way to Canterbury, or Char Dham?

Give up?

All the above listed items are sites for spiritual pilgrimages. A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey made to a holy spot or location. Once a person reaches these locations, they are said to have experienced a spiritual enlightenment of some kind. 

In the Old Testament, Israelites from all over Israel and Judah made pilgrimages three times a year for the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Booths, and the Passover. Many of our Psalms (Ps. 120-134) are called Psalms of Ascent, and were sung during people’s pilgrimages to Jerusalem, or to the altar of sacrifice at the Temple. The spot of the temple and Jerusalem were considered sacred—a place for God’s presence and restitution.

When Jesus came, he observed many of the feasts, pilgrimages, and special Jewish celebrations common to the Old Testament. Upon Jesus’ ascension back into heaven after his death and resurrection however, the spot of “enlightenment,” or “presence” changed. Jesus took up residence in two locations. The first location is at the right hand of the Father as a resurrected man in a fully renewed—skin and bones—spiritual body, interceding in heaven. The second location Jesus now inhabits in Spirit, is the hearts of human kind through salvation and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

Why is all this important? Today, even the language in much of our song lyrics in churches worldwide speaks as if we are summoning God’s presence. Holy-Spirit-power seekers travel the globe on pilgrimages to find the next super hero, super healer, or location where God’s spirit is “being poured out.” Unfortunately the mentality of “spot” over “Spirit” has overwhelmed the conversation of spiritual gifts and ministries. 

The emphasis being placed upon people, locations, and situations as grounds for Spirit empowerment, really undermines one person. Jesus! Consider the ministries that succumb to the above mentality, and you’ll notice, often times their ministries subtly start to try and “act out” the ministry of Jesus. People will try to attempt to intercede 24/7. That’s Jesus’ job. People will begin to claim to summon or send the Holy Spirit’s presence. That’s Jesus’ job. People will seek gift after gift; experience after experience, and this demonstrates a devaluing of Christ’s “once for all sacrifice.”

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