by David Scott Robertson
"When He [Jesus] had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him." - Matthew 8:1
Why do you suppose that great multitudes did not follow Jesus UP the mountain?
I think I know why.
Could it be because the path that leads up the mountain is a difficult one?
It's a hard trail that takes energy and effort and strength and sacrifice to make the ascent.
Frankly, many (not all) followers of Christ seek a pathway of least resistance.
But that path builds no spiritual muscle.
It's not always the paved path that God calls us to walk.
Often, very often in fact, it's the rugged trek
(You know the one that builds character)
That leads us through (not around) many dangers, toils, and snares.
Thankfully God has sent the Holy Spirit to help us traverse over, up, and around
The dangerous passes, crevices, and obstacles en route to the high places.
Many biblically significant events were mountain-top experiences:
Moses received the Ten Commandments of the Law on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:11 - 20:18).
The Israelites entered the Promised Land proclaiming blessings on Mount Gerizim and curses
from Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 11:29).
Moses viewed the panorama of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 32:49).
Joshua exterminated pagan kings on Mount Halak (Joshua 11:17).
Gideon assembled his army of three hundred on Mount Gilead to overthrow the oppressive Midianites (Judges 7:3).
Elijah triumphed over eight hundred and fifty false prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-40).
Mount Zion is the city of the Great King (Psalm 48:2).
Solomon built the temple of the Lord on Mount Moriah where God had appeared to his father David (2 Chronicles 3:1).
The Lord's zeal was aroused on Mount Perazim to do exploits (Isaiah 28:21) -
The glory of the Lord shown on Mount Paran (Habakkuk 3:3).
Jesus Christ continued the tradition of mountain-top experiences as history transitioned
from the Old Testament to the New Testament; from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant; from the Law to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ -
Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John up a high mountain (Matthew 17:1-2).
Jesus often spent the night on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37-38).
The Lord prayed all night on a mountainside and got the revelation from Father God who the Twelve apostles should be (Luke 6:12-13).
One of Jesus' most famous discourses was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 - 7:27).
Jesus withdrew on more than one occasion to the mountain for some quiet time (John 6:15).
One day, Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives and split the real estate with the brightness of His coming (Zechariah 14:4).
So you like those "mountain-top" experiences, huh?
We often think of the valley as the low points of our lives and mountains as the high points.
Not necessarily.
Abraham was directed by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on a mountain in the region of Moriah (Genesis 21:21).
Israel was chastened by God at Mount Horeb (Exodus 33:6).
Aaron died on Mount Hor (Numbers 20:23-28).
King Saul and his three sons were killed on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1-6).
And most especially of all, Jesus died on a hill called Mount Calvary (Matthew 27:33).
Everyone wants a "mountain-top experience"
But be careful what you ask for!
The best thing we can do is to consecrate our lives totally to Almighty God,
Who can literally make mountains out of molehills.
DSR
12/17/02