Two Men One Mountain
Ron
Herring
I.
Introduction:
A. Paul says the existence of God is evident in the magnificence of the created world. Romans 1:20
B. The mountains God created are the best way to confirm Paul’s statement.
1) They hold a mystical quality that causes a desire to look upon and climb them.
C. Some of the most breathtaking pictures are taken from the top of mountains.
1) The view becomes overwhelming forcing you to be silent, trying to absorb the beauty.
D. God used different mountains for significant meanings and events such as:
1) The mountain where Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
Mount Sinai where the Law of Moses was given.
2) Mount Carmel where Elijah defeated and destroyed 450 priest of Baal.
3) Mount Nebo is where God took Moses to view the promise Land and where he then died.
4) Mount Hor is where the first change in the chief priest took place between Aaron and Eleazar.
a) Aaron also dies on Mount Hor, Numbers 20:24-ff.
II. Mountains are used in prophecies representing such things as power and greatness.
A. Jesus used mountains in his teaching concerning the relationship of faiths power to move mountains.
B. Mount of Olives is another mountain of great importance, yet we miss the greatness of this mountain.
C. The Mount of Olives is first mentioned by name in 2 Samuel 15:30 in reference to King David.
D. The elevation of Mount of Olives is about 300 feet above Jerusalem, which allows a view of the entire city.
E. Titus the Roman General who led the Roman armies in the destruction of Jerusalem positioned his command post on top of Mount of Olives because of the commanding view he had of the city.
1) Mount of Olives would have served as the perfect place for the Roman catapults in their bombardment of the city.
F. The more important role of the Mount of Olives has to do with two kings who shared a very similar journey there.
G. As a result of studying these two Sheppard King’s journey we can learn to appreciate our situation as Christians in our Kingdom, which is the church.
III. David’s Journey to Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15).
A. A violent uprising was heading toward Jerusalem to remove King David.
B. David’s son, Absalom was leading the rebellion.
1) David recognized this as the fulfillment of God’s punishment for his sin with Bathsheba.
2) The prophet Nathan told David, “Thus says the Lord, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house…” 2 Samuel 12:11.
3) To have your own son desire your death must be the worst possible thing to happen to a father.
C. David’s decision to flee Jerusalem was to save the lives of his loyal servants and to avoid unnecessary violence that would be brought on Jerusalem by him staying to fight (2 Samuel 15:14).
1) Which would lead to the possibility of more innocent people dying for him because of his sin.
D. Jerusalem wept as their King departed into the night descending into the Kidron valley then ascending the Mount of Olives heading toward the wilderness of Judah.
E. Israel’s King was in anguish outside of Jerusalem in the night.
F. Those who followed did so by their own choice, not through the coercion of the King.
G. David’s
head was covered, and was bare foot weeping on the way up the Mount of Olives.
IV.
David humbled himself by accepting this as God’s
will.
A. As he traveled across the Kidron Valley and
up Mount of Olives His heart must have been flooded with a great deal of
memories.
B. Looking back towards Jerusalem he must have
wondered if this would be the last time.
C. Regardless of the outcome he placed his
trust in God for the final outcome.
1) God does restore David as King, but Absalom
is killed in the process.
2) You would think David would be joyful
instead David mourns Absalom death.
D. You can see the loved David had for Absalom
in the instruction to his military commanders to “deal gently for my sake
with the young man Absalom” 2 Samuel 18:5.
E. David, like any father would take full responsibility for their son’s death in this situation.
V. Jesus’ Journey to Mount of Olives.
A. Mountains played an important roll in the life of Jesus.
1) He would often seclude himself on mountains for prayer.
2) On a mountain Satan tempted Jesus.
3) Jesus preached the beatitudes on a mountain.
4) The transfiguration of Jesus with Elijah and Moses occurred on a mountain.
B. Mount of Olives was another important location to Jesus.
1) He taught on the Mount of Olives:
a) The parables of the ten virgins
b) The five talents
c) Concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem with the Temple for his Backdrop, Mark 13:3.
d) I wonder with the view of the city from where he was did he ever look towards Golgotha?
2) He also returned to Heaven from the Mount of Olives.
C. Jesus spent the last free hours of his life on Mount of Olives.
D. After partaking in the Passover meal Jesus lead his disciples out to the Garden of Gethsemane to prepare for his death which was approaching.
1) Jesus compelled no one to go with Him up to the Mount of Olives that Night.
2) As they walked, I cannot imagine the thoughts flooding through Jesus’ mind.
3) The anguishing feelings must have started to overpower him.
4) Once in the garden Jesus was concerned about his disciples being overcome with temptation when their Shepard was struck down, so he warns them to watch and pray.
5) They slept as He prayed and wept in anguish.
E. The Savior King was in torment outside of Jerusalem in the middle of the night.
VI. Two Men journey To The Same Mountain.
A. There were some similarities of the journeys.
1) The Kings were outside of the walls of Jerusalem at night.
2) Both Kings should have been inside the safety of the walls, in a place of honor.
3) They both demonstrated a great love for God through their submission to His will.
a) David is also described as a man after Gods heart.
b) No greater expression of Jesus’ love for God than in his submitting to the cruel cross.
4) They both prayed to God during their suffering.
5) They were surrounded with loyal companions, but tragically it was someone close who betrayed them.
6) Both conflicts are centered around Jerusalem, the city of God.
B. The main difference in the journeys is because of sin;
1) David’s was because of his own sin.
2) Jesus’ was because of our sins.
C. We can see a deference in the Kingdoms;
1) David’s was eventually destroyed.
2) Jesus’ kingdom is indestructible.
D. What happened to their physical bodies was different;
1) David’s body experienced decay. Acts 2:29
2) Jesus’ body never did decay, as prophesied, Psalm 16:8, Acts 2:27.
VII. We Must All Journey To Mount of Olives.
A. Our salvation begins with a journey to our own Mount of Olives.
B. There is another name associated with the Mount of Olives…
1) It is also referred to as the Mount of Offenses (sins).
C. This is because of another King named Solomon who made a place of worship for his wives pagan gods.
D. Yes, we all have a mountain of offenses that we have committed against God to overcome.
1) Understand we cannot climb this mountain without Jesus sacrifice on the cross.
E. As we comprehend the greatness of our mount of offenses, our hearts should melt like wax in humility because the offenses created the need for Jesus to die for us.
F. This should cause us to cry out Abba Father, help me, for I am a sinful person.
VIII. As we look towards the Heavenly Jerusalem we can see the Cross of Calvary.
A. The Cross of Calvary has made our entrance into Heavenly Jerusalem possible.
B. Christians are part of a Kingdom that will never be shaken, Hebrews 12:28.
1) Our citizenship is in the Heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) where our King will never be outside of the city walls.
2) Where our King will never again be betrayed.
3) Where never again will God’s city be tormented with sorrow or anger towards the King.
C. Through our love let us willingly submit to our King.
D. Allow Him to deliver us through our Mount of Offenses by being baptized for the forgiveness of our offenses against God.
E. Then through our obedience to God’s commands we will live lives that will clearly demonstrate our love for Him to the lost souls in the World.
Ron Herring