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Wisdom on the Mountain
Always searching, sometimes finding
George Martin clr.jpg
Rev. George Martin

Moses was the one the Lord talked to, and he said “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandments, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain... and the cloud covered the mountain. The Glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud. Moses was on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights.

This was not a ploy. This was not an exercise of foolishness on the part of Moses; this was a man who knew better, following the directions of the God he loved and trusted; and obeyed. This was the direct communication of God with Man, telling what he expected of them. And Moses went up on the mountain. 

Many years later Peter wrote in his second letter to the faithful Christians: “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father, saying ...This is my son my beloved with whom I am well pleased.” 

“We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the mountain.” Peter says, “you will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” And, “No prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Peter’s wisdom came from his time on the mountain with James and John. Jesus had taken them there, and, “he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the Sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” 

There appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him, and they in their amazement heard a voice from a cloud saying, “This is my Son, the beloved, with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”

All of these things happened as men journeyed to the mountain tops to be as close to God as He would allow, and away from human interference. So that the story, the reality of Jesus Christ might be authenticated and believed as real and actual truth; so that you might accept Christ and his saving grace for yourselves. AMEN


The Rev. George O. Martin is an Ordained Deacon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Adams, Great Bend. Send email to georgeom@hbcomm.net.