The first mountain I ever saw was the Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. Actually, as mountains go, it is really only a very big hill. Not only did I see it, but we also lived on it. My dad worked in an orchard, and we lived in the middle of this orchard about half-way up the side of the mountain. One of the things that I remember so well is how peaceful and quiet it was up there. We could see the town of Collingwood in the distance, about eight miles or so away. We could see the school house on the road to town, some farms, and in the distance, the grain elevator and the lighthouse. Almost every day there would be a big ship coming in or going out — sometimes two or three. There on the mountainside, it was so still; we could not hear the noise of the town in the distance, or the engines of the big ships, or the clamour at the harbour as they were unloading their cargo. When a person wants to get away from the busyness of everyday life, a mountainside or mountaintop is a good place to go.

As the time approached for Jesus' crucifixion, He began to prepare His followers for the events which were to take place. He told them that He was going to suffer and be rejected by the religious leaders, and that He would die and be raised again on the third day. He also told them that there would be consequences for His followers, but they did not understand these revelations. So He took three of them up a mountain.

Mark 9:2-3,7 – Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" (NKJV)

My spiritual "mountain" is to withdraw at times from the busyness of everyday life, to think about the things which have happened in my life in years past, to contemplate the present, to look forward to the future, and to talk to God about the things which concern me and worry me and the things that I am thankful for. My spiritual mountain might be when I drive to a church service, or prepare for a Bible discussion, or when I am awake at night.

During this period of Lent, as we prepare for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we, too, need to seek out the stillness of a spiritual mountain and in that time, gaze on the Lord in His new appearance as the light of the world, Who came to die so that we may live. Hear Him! Listen to Him!

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, as we think about Jesus and His suffering, as we worship and remember, we pray that You will open our hearts so that we will understand and comprehend that through His death and resurrection, we have life eternal. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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