Another Way to God (not what you think)

Many times the Bible records that Jesus would go to the mountain. Sometimes he would go by himself. Sometimes he would go with his three; Peter, James and John. Sometimes he would take all twelve. And still other times he would take a multitude. Of the mountains that Jesus climbed, the one that he climbed more than any other was the Mount of Olives. It was on the Mount of Olives that we see Jesus praying all night before choosing the twelve apostles. It was on the Mount of Olives that Jesus spoke about the end times in what has become known as the Olivet discourse. It was to this mountain that Jesus would retreat each night after teaching in the temple. It was from the Mount of Olives that Jesus made his triumphant entry. It was on this same mountain that Jesus would pray prior to his arrest. It was also the same mountain from which he would make his exit from this world. No doubt the Mount of Olives was a place where Jesus felt connected to the Father.

It was for this reason that Jesus made so many trips up this mountain. These many trip up and down the mountain helped Jesus become acquainted with the Mount of Olives. From his many trips he had no doubt learned the many paths. He could make it to the top from many different directions, whether it was from the Jerusalem side, the Galilee side, or event the side facing Bethpage. He was not limited to one way of connecting with the Father. He knew the routes that were difficult, that would only allow for one to pass. He discovered these during his times of solitude and prayer. He knew the paths that would allows for smaller groups, and even paths for the multitudes. Jesus knew when each path would be open, and when the weather or darkness would make them too treacherous to pass. It was this his intimate knowledge of the mountain that allowed him to make the journey to the Father whenever and however it was necessary.

How often do we as Christians become limited in how we are able to connect with God? For many, the only time we feel we can connect with God is in a corporate service. If the right song is played at the right tempo, the right number of times then we feel we connected with God. I can connect with God if I shout, if I fall out, if there is a move of the Holy Ghost. It is this mentality that has led to people feeling the need to constantly be “in service”. As a result they don’t want to serve in the nursery, or teach a class, or participate in life development classes, because then they don’t feel they connected with God. Jesus knew many ways to connect with God, and isn’t it interesting that not once does the Bible speak of Jesus connecting through a Holy Ghost shout fest. I am not saying that one cannot connect with God in a corporate service, but if that is the only way you can reach God then what happens when that route is cut off? What happens when it is a Tuesday and there isn’t a corporate service? What happens when you are supposed to serve in the nursery? The answer is you miss your time with God.

As Christians we must be willing to discover new ways to God. We must discover how to connect with God while serving in the nursery. We must learn to connect with God while teaching a class. We must learn to connect with God while developing spiritually. Jesus was in constant connection with God. He knew how to connect with God when he was alone, and with the multitude. He knew how to connect whether he was fasting or feasting. He knew how to connect He knew how to connect with God during good times and tough times. He could connect with the Father in the church or in the public square. He knew how to connect from any perspective, and he taught his followers to do the same.