The Pastor’s Pen -
March, 2014
On the last Sunday in Epiphany, March 2, you and I will ascend the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus and three of his closest disciples. As we prepare to begin our Lenten journey, we will see Jesus transfigured – his face shining like the sun – his clothes dazzling white. And then some forty days later, on Good Friday, we will watch Jesus on another mountain, Mount Golgotha (or Calvary), as he is crucified for the sins of the world.
In-between these two mountains, Transfiguration and Golgotha, our mid-week Lenten services will give us the opportunity to climb other mountains. Gathering each Wednesday evening, we will join different characters of the Bible – Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and Peter – as they encounter the God who has been called the Lord of the Mountain.
Here are the mountains that will be part of our Lenten experience:
March 5: Ararat – Mountain of Promise - (Genesis 8:1-4, 13-19; 9:8-17)
March 12: Moriah – Mountain of Provision - (Genesis 22:1-18)
March 19: Sinai – Mountain of Law - (Exodus 19:16-20; 20:1-17)
March 26: Nebo – Mountain of Revelation - (Deuteronomy 34:1-8)
April 2: Carmel – Mountain of Triumph - (1 Kings 18:1-2a, 17-40)
April 9: Olives – Mountain of Self-Deception - (Matthew 26:26-35)
April 18: Golgotha – Mountain of Redemption - (John 19:1-25a)
As we visit these biblical mountains, we will also have the opportunity to reflect on the mountains that make up the landscape of our own personal lives – mountains of wonder and exhilaration, mountains that are steep and challenging, mountains that threaten and intimidate, mountains that provide vantage points from which to look out at the world, mountains that are obstacles in our path, mountains that we are being invited to climb. What are some of the mountains that have had a significant impact in your life?
Please remember that no matter what kind of mountains we encounter, whether we see them as threats or as opportunities, whether we fear them or welcome them, God promises that he will meet us on life’s mountains. Just like God met Jesus and the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, so God promises to meet you and me.
The Lord of the Mountain be with you!
Pastor Selbo
