Eighty... Eighty-one... Eighty-two... Eighty-three... Still so many steps to go. 'Why did they build this damn statue on top of a hill like this?' I uttered out of breath. 'Why not just on level ground, or in the valley? Ah, of course, it's about the pilgrimage; a path to Nirvana or enlightenment. It's about a ceaseless search for wisdom and a place of ultimate rest from the burdens of this world, where our desires don't control us anymore and our good conduct served us well.'

I looked up at the Big Buddha and was dumbfounded by the human race's complete arrogance, and sadly its ignorance. We believe we become enlightened and emancipated when we go on these religious pilgrimages. Muslims go to Mecca. Hindus go up in the mountains. Catholics want to kiss the Pope's ring at the Vatican. Buddhists climb steps to a statue on a hilltop. We want to be rewarded for our effort. Our Nirvana or Heaven is anchored in good conduct, if not good deeds, yes? Not according to Biblical Truth. 

Two thousand years ago, one Pilgrim suffered the fate of having to walk the Via Dolorosa up to Golgotha. And because he undertook this pilgrimage, and was hammered to the cross, we have all been made righteous; we are free (Romans 5:12-18). We do not need to climb up the steps to some statue made of bronze or a shrine made of wood and stone. We do not need to visit some holy city. And kissing the ring of a man in a purple robe does not provide for justification of our sins. It's not a man's job to give salvation. Man is incapable of such privilege. It takes immortal Perfection - the kind that doesn't require a permanent grave - to do the job.

You want rest? You have it already. Our pilgrimage has been paid for in blood. We just need to embrace this truth, and accept Christ as our Savior.

Listen keenly. Do you hear it? It's that little voice telling you right now about the Truth of all truths. Deep inside of us we all know. Religion will be the death of us all. Religion places distance between us and God. God seeks relationship with us, not religion; not vain attempts at being saved through our oh-so-heavenly pilgrimages.

This pilgrim is resting...Nirvana!