The pilgrimage to the Holy City is a journey like life’s journey. To successfully complete the journey we need to make Allah/God our best friend to guide us on the right path of the pilgrimage to the Holy City.

King David stated in Psalm 34 verse 8 ‘Taste and see that the Lord (the King of the Holy City) is good.’ He will help you on the pilgrimage of life so you will arrive at the Holy City.

One evening a young Saudi man left Dubai late at night and started driving towards Riyadh, a beautiful City in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Although the vehicle lights were on, his car slammed into the back of a stationary truck stopped on the highway with no lights on. The huge impact of the smash ripped his car into unrecognisable pieces. Chemicals leaked from the truck melting parts of his vehicle.

He was unconscious and upside down in the driver's compartment of his car strapped in by his seat belt.

Strangely a taste even sweeter than honey filled his mouth and he was taken in the spirit to the gates of the Holy City. The honey tasted so beautiful. It was better than anything he had tasted on earth.

At the gates of the Holy City he was told by an angel that his work on earth was incomplete and he would be sent back to earth to complete God’s work and finish his pilgrimage. The beautiful honey taste faded away, and his mouth was filled with blood from the extensive facial injuries he had suffered. He returned to consciousness, and was helped by paramedics to escape the wreck. His face was severely scarred.

He could never forget the sweetness of the honey he tasted on his journey to the Holy City. He wished he could taste that flavour everyday of his life. Later he read the words of King David in the Zabur (Psalms) 119 verse 103. ‘How sweet are God’s words to my taste, Yes, even sweeter than honey to my mouth.’

The Word of God guides us to the right path on our pilgrimage to the Holy City. God’s Word is sweeter than honey to our soul.

Prophet John the Baptist (Yahya) the son of Zachariah (Zakariyya) was miraculously born in answer to Zachariah’s prayer in Surah 21 ayat 90 -91 of the Koran. Zachariah’s wife was healed of barrenness in her womb by the breath of the Spirit of God, and her son was made a Sign for all peoples. Allah/God promised that John the Baptist would witness of a truth of a Word from Allah. This Word was birthed to Mary (Maryam) as recorded in Surah 3 ayat 45 and His name was called Isa (Jesus) the Messiah, the Word of God.

‘Behold the angels said ‘O Mary! Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him - His name will be called Jesus Christ the son of Mary.’

Now John the Baptist had a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey (Injil Matthew 3:4).

John the Baptist was the Prophet of Allah preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying; ‘Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet saying; ‘The Voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Make ready the way of the Lord (Isa) make his paths straight.’ Refer to Isaiah 40 verse 3, and Isaiah 43 verse 19.

Repentance is the action of a person who is humble and it prepares our heart to take the pilgrimage - refer to Surah 42 ayah 25. ‘Allah is the One who accepts repentance from His servants and forgives sins and He knows all that we do.’

Let’s pray. ‘Almighty God please forgive me of my sin and cleanse me from all the evil things I have done, so I may be guided by your Spirit on the right path and follow the teaching of the Word of God during my pilgrimage on earth.’

Now we have cleansed our hearts we can submit ourselves to Allah/God and His Word and be guided by His Spirit on our pilgrimage to the Holy City.

Taste and See that the Lord is good! He will provide sweet tasting food for your soul on your pilgrimage.