On the mountain
by Jim Strelan
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In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above all the hills and all nations will stream to it (Isaiah 2:2).
Read Isaiah 2:1–5
Which is the highest mountain in the world? Which is the highest mountain in Australia? In Adelaide (I spent most of my young life there), there’s Mount Lofty. When we would come home on leave from Papua New Guinea, I would look forward to seeing Mount Lofty, only to be disappointed. Compared with the mountains in PNG, let’s face it, it doesn’t rate. Sorry, Adelaideans, that’s not a mountain. That’s a hill! But then, Brisbane people can’t talk. We have Mount Gravatt, which should be called Mound Gravatt!
In the Bible, mountains are significant. Moses goes up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. You go ‘up’ to Jerusalem. Jesus gives what we know of as the Sermon on the Mount – although that was probably really just a small incline. Jesus is transfigured on the mountain. Jesus gives the Great Commission and ascends to heaven from a mountain. Mountains are important.
The grand Gothic cathedral in Cologne, Germany, once towered above everything else surrounding it so that it could be seen for many kilometres. Like a beacon. A calling point. Like a towering mountain. God is here. Everyone can see it. Isaiah speaks of a time when the temple will be established on the hill, raised so that ‘all nations will stream to it’ (Isaiah 2:2b). All nations. Jews and non-Jews.
Jesus comes down from the mountain to dwell among us. To live the life we live. To rub shoulders with us. But then he is taken to a hill, Golgotha, and there he is lifted up to be crucified on a Roman cross. John 12:32 has Jesus saying, ‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.’ All people. His arms are stretched out for you, for me, for all people, all nationalities and cultures.
If there is a mountain near you, or even a hill that is called a mountain, look up. See it. Acknowledge the presence of God. Or if there is only flatness around you, still look up, away from yourself. God is there. God is near. Not just for you. Not just for your community. For all. And thank him.
Thank you, God, for your presence. I lift my eyes to the hills. I know where my strength comes from. Draw me and all people to yourself. Amen.
Jim lives on Brisbane’s northside with his wife, Ruth. He enjoys reading and listening to music, is a proud Brisbane Lions member and loves his children and grandchildren. Jim is passionate about the gospel and the freedom it brings.
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