Matthew 28:16-20
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’
Mountain top experiences are always significant in the Bible. It may be an idiom for speaking of one of those “liminal spaces” where the divine and the moral meet. They may be sacred spaces, places that we today might call “thin places” where the spiritual and the ordinary seem to meet. In Kenya a large tree standing by itself might be recognized as a sacred space and often there would be a leg of goat dangling from the limb, a sacrifice to the gods. We consider churches, mosques, synagogues as sacred spaces and places of refugee. They are places of prayer. They are places of symbolism. Christian churches often have a cross, a Bible, an altar, a baptismal font, and perhaps instruments of music. Candles set a calm, meditative atmosphere. We can step out of the distractions of life and meditate or focus on our spiritual journey.
The disciples went to a mountain-top, like Moses and Elijah before them had gone. They went to meet with Jesus. I note that Jesus initiated the meeting. It was not the lost looking to be found but a rondevou of friends. So where do you go when you want to spend time with God? Actually, I am not a nature person because of allergies but I do have my recliner chair where I can have a cup of coffee, read and meditate in the morning or retreat to when I come home from work. I am the sort of person that works best with routines and known places so my soul relaxes. The routine sets a spiritual rhythm in my soul. God can meet us anywhere and often in the unexpected places but having designated places that our bodies know to relax and reflect is also a good spiritual discipline
What places are special or sacred to you? What characterizes the space? Do you have routines or traditions that help your soul unwind? Perhaps take time to reflect on times of spiritual encounter and think of common themes that characterize these encounters. God invites us to call upon his name, “(Psalm 50:15) Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” 2 Peter 5:2 tells us to “cast your cares on him for he cares for you.” Spend some time today in your special place and meet with the one who holds your life in his hands.
On the Way to Wonder 