During my lifetime I have had several mountain-top
experiences, literally. I’ve been at the top of the Schilthoran Summit in the
Bernese Alps. I’ve been at the top of Whistler Mountain in British Columbia.
I’ve been to the top of Koolau Range on Oahu, and near the top of Mount Elbert
in Colorado. And each time my thoughts would turn to the God of the Scriptures
and often Psalm 121:1 & 2. Throughout the Bible mountains have profound
meaning in the lives of believers and sending them back into the world with
a mission.
In Genesis, Noah’s ark settles on a mountain-top where God
makes a new covenant with Noah and all of creation. Generations later on Mt.
Moriah, God proves His unspeakable provision to Abraham. On Mt. Horeb, God
calls Moses to deliver His people from the bondage of Egypt. When Israel
crosses the Jordan, entering between two mountains, they receive the blessing
of God.
Mountains are prime locations for God’s call and
commissioning of His people. Perhaps this is why Matthew is so fond of
mountains. Of all the gospel writers, it’s Matthew who begins and ends Jesus’
three years of earthly ministry on a mountain. Some commentators, in fact,
think that it’s the same mountain, near Capernaum on the northwest shores of
the Sea of Galilee. In between these two mountain-top experiences, Matthew
tells us of five other mountains associated with Jesus’ ministry.
One fascinating study is to compare Moses’ Sinai experience
with the experience of those who gathered to hear Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
Instead of clouds, fencing, and veils, Matthew says “seeing the crowds, Jesus
went up on the mountain…sat down…and he opened His mouth…” What a difference! What’s
even more striking is to compare Matthew 28:16-20 to Moses’ Sinai experience.
It’s the difference between night and day.
This week we begin our new series, “A Charge to Keep.” It
flows from what Jesus tells His brothers on this mountain in Galilee weeks
after His resurrection. It’s called “the Great Commission.” The words are
familiar,
“Go, therefore, and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am
with you always, to the end of the age.”
It’s the phrase,
“teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you,” that will capture our
attention throughout the series. What has He commanded us? We’ll dig into all
of that in the coming weeks. This
week we introduce the topic by looking at the location, the lessons, and the
license Jesus reveals to us in this farewell address.
In
preparation for Sunday, you may wish to consider the following:
1)
In Exodus 34 the Bible says that Moses had to
wear a veil on his face after leaving Sinai. Why? (See II Corinthians 3:12)
2)
What does the word “commission” mean?
3)
Why does Jesus pick a mountain in Galilee as the
place to issue His commission?
4)
Compare Matthew 4:8-9 to Matthew 28:16-20.
5)
What does, “but some doubted” mean?
6)
Why the differences between Matthew’s account of
the Great Commission and Mark’s?
7)
What does “worship“ mean in verse 17?
8)
Find the four “alls” in verses 18-20. What is
the significance?
9)
What does the word “observe” mean in verse 20?
10)
What statement of Jesus sustained David
Livingstone throughout his years in Africa?
See you Sunday!
