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From one perspective, the Bible is a book about mountains.
Even though the Middle East has never been in the running for being the home of the world’s tallest or most beautiful peaks, a number of biblical characters have become known for their mountaintop experiences.
Noah and his ark came to rest on “the mountains of Ararat.” Even this week there is a team of geologists and archeologists who are checking out a nearby formation that has intriguingly straight edges.
Moses climbed Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
Elijah the prophet, who had run away from God’s call on his life as far and as fast he could, finally heard God’s “still, small voice” while on a mountain.
Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and went up on a mountain to choose his 12 disciples.
His made predictions about the future from the Mount of Olives. His life ended on Mount Calvary. And his final marching orders, the Great Commission, were shared with his disciples from an unidentified high place in Galilee.
Why are mountains such a big deal? Why have they always captivated human imagination?
The simplest explanation is the best: A mountain is where heaven and earth seem to touch. From atop a mountain peak, we can take in the world from a new perspective. Big problems seem smaller when we’re high above the clouds and fog. Perhaps most important of all, a mountain is where our vision becomes clearer – or we receive a particular gift of vision for the first time.
Having spent most of my years as a resident of Indiana, I can affirm that Hoosiers are a vision-challenged people.
That is to say, there’s not a mountain within driving distance that will make anyone’s ears pop, although from certain hills you can get a much better view of the harvesters that are currently processing thousands of acres of corn and soybeans.
We do, however, regularly have mountaintop experiences.
That’s because one doesn’t need to scale an actual piece of vertical geology to draw near to God. The Lord is as accessible from a front porch swing as he is from Mt. Everest.
It’s worth noting that many religious traditions have their own mountain theology.
Where do the Greek gods and goddesses live? On Mt. Olympus. Mt. Kailash is sacred to Hindus, since it is said to be the dwelling place of the god Shiva. Where does one access life-changing counsel? You climb a mountain to seek an audience with an enlightened guru.
But when it comes to mountains, there’s one part of the Jesus story that is unique.
Jesus doesn’t live on a mountaintop. He doesn’t wait for pilgrims to come and find him. Yes, he provides three of his disciples (Peter, James, and John) a transforming experience on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17.
But then he does something that is found in no other religious tradition: He walks down the mountain with those three very confused men.
He rejoins them in the muck and mire of daily life – down in the valley where it’s hard to see what’s going on, and where most people go a long time without clear vision.
But that’s where we find Jesus. He’s not up there. He’s down here.
He’s close enough to provide a word of wisdom. Or some specific personal guidance. Or the assurance that he understands and shares the burden of whatever is keeping you up at night.
And the most wonderful thing of all?
That’s something you can come to see clearly, even from the chair you’re sitting in right now.