On the Mountain with God
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Mountain Top Experiences
Mountain Top Experiences
Throughout the Bible we find a motif or a theme of mountain experiences. Mountains in the ancient world were seen as places where the things of heaven and things of earth intersected. In Scripture we find mountains as a places where surrender happens, where communion with God happens, where worship happens.
In Eden - which Ezekiel describes as a mountain - was the place where humans and God were to be in perfect fellowship - where he would teach and instruct, but in that place, rather than surrendering - they saw and took and ate - causing sin to enter the world. (Ezekiel 28:13-14, Genesis 2, 3)
Mt. Ararat - where the ark that Noah built rested after the flood - Noah - in appreciation for God’s salvation - built an altar and worshipped. That’s where God promised not to utterly destroy the land in the same way. (Gen. 8:20—21).
Mt. Moriah - after taking things into his own hand by having a child through a servant woman (Gen. 16), Abraham is called to take the promised heir, Isaac to a Mt. Moriah to offer him back to God as a sacrifice (Gen. 22). His act of surrender brought prompted God to provide a substitute offering and resulted in a promise of blessing. That mountain ended up being the place where Solomon built the temple. (2 Chr. 3:1)
Mt. Sinai or Mt. Horeb - As we read earlier, this is the place where Moses and some of the leaders met with God and ultimately where God reveled to Moses how his people should live and worship. On this mountain God provided the plans for the tabernacle which ultimately became the model for the temple (Ex. 19-32).
We could continue by considering so many places in Scripture where significant spiritual events happened on mountains - Elijah and the prophets a Baal, Elijah and his encounter with God on Mt. Horeb, David and his failures on Mt. Zion, and more.
There is something about being on a mountain that makes us feel close to God. The change of perspective, climate, atmosphere have an impact on us. The exhaustion or fatigue that we may feel after ascending reminds us of our weakness and God’s strength or majesty. Tim Macky, in a podcast series on this topic, noted that being on the mountain, especially high mountains, makes it feel almost otherworldly - like you are a visitor to another realm (The Bible Project Podcast - Mountain series - October 2024-February 2025).
We often regard special encounters with God like a mountain top experience. Maybe it’s a retreat or a hike on Sugarloaf or even climbing in the mountains of Saudi Arabia, mountains can have a significant impact on our lives. God periodically uses mountain top experiences both figuratively and literally as a means of testing us, communing with us, and causing us to grow with Him.
I bring that up today, because as we continue looking at the book of Luke, we find Jesus going to a mountain to pray. It is after this all-night prayer vigil that he descends and names his 12 apostles. Let’s look at Luke 6:12-16 together.
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
As we reflect on this passage, we’ll look at three of Jesus actions, considering how we can learn from and then apply what Jesus is doing here.
The first action that we’ll consider is Jesus’…
Prayer on the mountain (12)
Prayer on the mountain (12)
This is not the first time that Jesus has removed himself from the population. After his ministry in Capernaum, he sought to leave for a desolate place (4:42) - assuming he was going away to pray.
But here, Luke is unique among the gospels writers at this point in the narrative to communicate that Jesus went to “the mountain to pray.” But this was not a brief prayer session, this was an all-night prayer vigil. Let’s consider this idea of prayer.
Prayer
Prayer
For most of us, we sort of understand the concept of prayer - talking to God. Maybe we’ve learned different prayer formulas like ACTS - adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication. Maybe we’ve even learned to pray according to the Lord’s prayer or praying according to Scripture. Maybe, some of our prayers are limited to a meal-time grace or the corporate prayers prayed a church. When we really get down to it, prayer is a significant activity.
Leslie Hardin notes that prayer is “Communication with God, primarily offered in the second-person voice (addressing God directly). May include petition, entreaty, supplication, thanksgiving, praise, hymns, and lament.”
Think about that - a direct conversation with the God of the universe. No mediator like Mary or a Saint or a priest or a pastor, but going right to the source. But that source is not a vague, impersonal Deity.
M.G. Easton stated that “Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold intercourse with us, his personal control of all things and of all his creatures and all their actions.”
Prayer is essentially a conversation with the One who has the ability affect circumstances; the One who knows the end from the beginning.
Jesus, here on this mountain and in other places, demonstrates this special time of communion with God. He models for us the fact that we can and should go to God in prayer.
Joel Beeke noted that,
“As the God-man, Jesus often drew near to God in prayer to receive strength and guidance in his ministry of revelation.”
It seems like here on this mountain, Jesus is communicating with God the Father, seeking guidance for his next steps in ministry. Jesus ascended this mountain and regularly escaped to private “desolate” places in order to pray.
In this, he provides a glorious example for us and even an encouragement to take things to the God in prayer. Beeke again notes,
“We, too, ought to make more use of prayer, especially in combating spiritual depression and afflictions. Knowing that we have a sympathetic high priest in heave, let us pray with boldness for the mercy and grace that we need (Heb. 4:15-16)”
We are invited to go to pray.
short, desperate prayers - like Nehemiah (Neh. 1:11)
daily prayers like Daniel - (Daniel 6:10)
theologically dense prayers like Paul as we see throughout his letters
heart-felt prayers like the Psalmists
Beloved, we are encouraged to go to the God of the universe to pray. When we are in great need or great plenty. When we are interceding for others or pouring our hearts out to the Lord. We don’t need to have an all-night prayer vigil - but maybe it would be beneficial from time to time - for us individually, as families, and as a church.
So, Jesus ascended this mountain one evening and spent all night before the Lord in prayer. When daylight came, he summoned his disciples to him, essentially giving them an…
Invitation to the mountain (13a)
Invitation to the mountain (13a)
In this invitation, Jesus calls all of his disciples - and it seems like, based on the context, he invites them to join him on the mountain. We have no way of knowing for sure how many this was. It could be 20-30, it could be a few hundred. We know that by the beginning of Acts, there were 120 disciples who remained to pray in the upper room in Jerusalem for several days before the Holy Spirit was poured out on them (Acts 1). Did you notice that he invited all of the disciples but he chose a few to have a certain role as apostles?
Disciples are essentially learners. Wilcock notes that “the disciples were attracted” to Jesus. People were drawn to him by his teaching.
What I find interesting here, is that Jesus invites ALL of his disciples, all of his learners, to the mountain. Remember, throughout the Bible, mountains are seen as places of testing, places of connection with God, places where we get an opportunity to surrender.
When we come to Jesus, we are invited to commune with God the same way that he did. In many ways, He is the mountain of God on earth. He came from heaven to embody what His kingdom people should live like. He is our salvation. Because of who Jesus is, we are invited to go before God, to pray, to fellowship, to relationship, to see God for who He is. We have the same access to God that He does. We may not have the same power or authority, but he has extended this invitation to us. We get to pray in His name, according to His will, in His power.
Beloved, you may or may not feel like a spiritual giant. I would assume that by being here or regularly participating in church indicates that you have some desire to learn, to grow. Let me encourage you keep going to the Lord. Keep scaling the mountain in prayer and in fellowship with God.
Friend, if you have not yet received Christ as your savior, the invitation is there to come and learn, come and grow, come and fellowship with him. Repent, believe, be baptized.
So Jesus ascended the mountain to pray and then invited his disciples to join him. Once they were there together, Jesus called out a few of the disciples to be apostles. He essentially made an
Appointment from the mountain (13b-16)
Appointment from the mountain (13b-16)
While not explicitly stated, Luke seems to be communicating that Jesus was able to choose the people that he did because of His time on the mountain in prayer. As a result, Jesus surrendered to the will of the Father regarding those whom He chose.
Where disciples were learners and were in many ways “attracted” to Jesus, the Apostles are delegates or ambassadors. Wilock notes that they were “appointed by the Lord.” Theses twelve were called out for a special assignment, a special role.
There will be times God may lay on our hearts a desire to serve or minister in specific ways. He may even call some to be teachers, or deacons, or elders, or missionaries. I pray that if God lays something on your heart that you would pursue that. If there is something that I or the other elders can be specifically praying with or for you, please let us know. Next week, Armal is going to be looking at another of Paul’s faithful sayings that deals with the “desire” to be involved in ministry.
Over the last few weeks, we observed that Simon and Levi/Matthew “left everything” to follow him. Along with Simon were James and John and, likely Simon’s brother Andrew.
Many other people began to follow Jesus around - learning and growing, but it seemed that on the mountain Jesus came to the conclusion that a certain 12 would represent him - they would be his ambassadors - they would be His apostles.
When you look at who these guys are, they are a varied bunch.
The first four are likely fisherman - blue collar guys - and pairs of brothers -
Simon Peter and Andrew,
James and John - who may have also been cousins of Jesus as their mom Salome may have been Mary’s sister (Bock, 544, John 19:25, Mt. 27:56, Mk. 15:40).
Philip was from another part of Galilee - Bethsaida. In the other gospels, we find that he is instrumental in introducing Bartholomew or Nathanial (John 1:45) to Jesus.
Matthew is likely also Levi - the tax collector (based on Mt. 9:9)
Thomas - we know little about - except that he initially doubted the resurrection of Christ (John 20:24-29). He may have been a twin. But then according to tradition, he became instrumental in the evangelization of India and possibly Persia (Bock, 544).
James son of Alpheus is also known as James the lesser in other gospels (Mk. 15:40). It’s possible he is a brother to Matthew/Levi as both of their dad’s names are Alpheus - though that name could be a common one (Mk. 2:14) (Bock, 545).
Simon the Zealot - The Zealots were a sect of nationalistic Jews who wanted to overthrow Roman rule in order to gain their freedom from occupation. Imagine what it would have been like for him to follow Jesus - listening to loving enemies, humility, and surrender rather than the taking up of arms and fighting that his sect might have called for.
Judas son of James (also known as Thaddeus in Mark 3:18 and Matt. 10:3) (Bock, 546) - little is known about him. Finally there is…
Judas Iscariot - likely the only non-Galilean in the group (Bock, 546). Of course, Luke and the other gospel writers give us insight into Judas’ future action, noting that he would eventually become a traitor.
But, think about this for a moment. Before coming to Christ, these guys all had careers and identities. But they have gone down in history as Apostles. A select group of men who were chosen for a time to initiate the establishment of the church - because they had been with Jesus and had born witness to his resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). While Judas eventually betrayed Jesus and the Apostles, these men, along with Matthias, who was chosen to replace Judas, and then later Paul, who was appointed as one “untimely born” (1 Cor. 15:8) are men through whom Jesus changed the world.
Just as Jesus seemed to submit to the will of the Father in choosing these men, so too these men largely submitted to Jesus. They surrendered to Jesus on the mountain. Their lives became instruments in His hands.
We may not be able to be official apostles today, I believe that office was closed when these men died off, but we can be used of the Lord to affect change for his Kingdom in our time - if we will surrender to him.
Closing thoughts
Closing thoughts
After spending all night in prayer on a mountain, Jesus invites his disciples (including us), to join him on the mountain, and then he appoints certain people from that mountain.
As we’ve briefly discussed, there are mountains throughout scripture that seem to represent the intersection between heaven and earth. So often, that time on the mountain is intended to be a time of surrender, intercession, communion, prayer. Living here, we can go to a small mountain called Sugarloaf to pray. We could make bigger adventures to higher mountains as well. While those may be helpful at times, we also have the collision between heaven and earth in us - by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We have direct access to the Triune God no matter where we are. The question is, do we regularly go to the mountain the God. When we are there, are we surrendering to His will or are we leaving there largely unchanged?
In the beginning of his earthly ministry, Jesus ascended to a mountain and was tempted to do things his own way. He surrendered to the will of God - even enduring suffering and shame. Here in the midst of his ministry, he again ascends a mountain and surrenders to the will of God. In the end of His earthly ministry, he ascended some more mountains - the mount of olives - where he poured out his heart before the God and yet surrendered. He was arrested by authorities on that mountain and then tried and crucified on another mountain - Mt. Zion or Mt. Moriah - surrendering eternally on our behalf. Not far from there, on that same mountain, he was buried in a tomb and then rose from the grave - once and for all ransoming his life for ours.
May we follow his example and surrender at the mountain of God for His glory and our good.
Let’s pray.
Benediction
Benediction
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Questions for reflection and discussion
Read: Luke 6:12-16.
How competitive was your high school or college when it came to academics or athletics?
In neighborhood or school games, when were you usually chosen?
What did Jesus do before choosing the twelve apostles? (6:12)
What is significant about where Jesus prayed? Can you think of examples of other people who did similar work on similar places?
What details did Luke give us about Jesus’ prayer vigil? (6:12)
From what larger group did Jesus name His twelve apostles? (6:13)
What personal facts can you recall about some of the apostles? (6:14–16)
How many of the apostles had already been introduced by Luke earlier in his Gospel? (6:14–16)
What is the difference between disciples and apostles?
What kinds of decisions or events might cause someone to spend extended time in prayer?
Why are extended times of prayer important?
What could spending extended time in prayer accomplish that could not be accomplished in a shorter time of prayer?
What do you want to keep in mind from this passage to help you in making choices in the future?
When in the near future could you pray about God’s plan for your life?
Sources:
Sources:
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/series/mountain
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.
Beeke, Joel R., and Paul M. Smalley. Reformed Systematic Theology: Man and Christ. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 1:1-9:50. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Easton, M. G. Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1893.
Hardin, Leslie T. “Prayer.” In The Lexham Bible Dictionary, edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.
Houston, J. M. “Mount, Mountain.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
McKinley, Mike. Luke 1–12 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.
Thomson, J. G. S. S. “Prayer.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
Young, E. J., and F. F. Bruce. “Sabbath.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
