Mountains and hills are cited more than 500 times in Scripture, and they signify drawing near to God who dwells in the highest heavens.

a. Highest Heavens:

I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble of spirit – Isaiah 57:15

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind – Psalm 115:16

Glory be to God in the highest Heavens – Luke 2:14

b. Good things happen on the Mountain:

God provided a ram to be sacrificed by Abraham instead of his son Isaac on Mount Moriah (a shadow of Christ).  “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Genesis 22.

In the Gospel of Matthew 5:1 – Jesus went up to a mountain to give the Sermon to His people.

Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai to have God speak to him and he received the gift of the Ten Commandments and the Laws –Exodus 19 & 20 (covenant).  19: 20 – Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain.

A number of healings happened on mountainside (Matthew 15:29-31) – v 31. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking; the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing.

The transfiguration happed from a Mountain – Matthew 17:1 – The disciples beheld Jesus in His heavenly glory (v2 – his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light); they gained a deeper understanding of who he was i.e. revelation about the deity of Jesus. Also, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-39.

Jesus final discourse/sermon happed from the Mount of Olives – Matthew 24.

David captured Mount Zion (an area of Jerusalem), and it became the city of David, and later the location of Solomon’s temple – 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Kings 8:1

Noah’s Ark (representing God’s salvation to those who believe), rested on Mount Ararat – Genesis 8:1-5. Only in Christ can we find rest for our souls.

Elijah called God to light the sacrifice on Mount Carmel– fire came down from heaven – He proved to the prophets of Baal that Yahweh was the true God – Kings 18

Jesus prayed before his arrest and crucifixion at Mount of Olives – Luke 22:39-49. At the mountain he received strength.

Jesus was crucified on a knoll or hill the outskirts of Jerusalem – Golgotha/Calvary – for our redemption. Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, John 19:17, Luke 23:33

Jesus commissioned the apostles from the mountain – Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection at the Mount of Olives, and he will come the same way – Acts 1:9-12

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south – Zechariah 14:4.

c. Jesus went to the mountain severally:

Several instances in the scriptures show that the Lord Jesus went to a mountain to pray.  Matthew 14:23 – And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Luke 6:12 – And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”  – The following morning, he called the twelve disciples, whom he designated apostles.

Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives – He told his disciples: “Pray that you will not enter into temptation. Luke 22:39-40

Lesson from Jesus going to the Mountain to Pray:

We can learn the significance of finding time apart from all distractions to pray, the importance of solitude during a time of earnest prayer and supplication.  By being alone in the quietness of the evening, Jesus enjoyed a time of uninterrupted communion with His Father.

How can we ascend to the Mountain of the Lord and to His Holy place? :

It is only by having clean hands and a pure heart, by not trusting idols or swear by a false god. By so doing, we shall receive His blessing. Psalm 24:3-5

We are not to ascend a physical mountain, but it is by having our hearts connected with the risen saviour. He lives in the highest heavens but also with him whose heart is contrite and humble.  We are his temple and we should have a daily communion with him. May our praises and prayers always rise up to him.

By Ch. Stephen.