FROM INSPIRATION POINT

#12 Zion…Chief Among the Mountains

In Isaiah chapter 2, God revealed to Isaiah the fulfillment of all of his promises by saying, "In the last days, the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains, and will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many people will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths.' The Law will go out from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many people. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not take up sword against nation, neither will they train for war any more. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord."

David's tomb is on Mt. Zion. Before the 1967 war, when the old city was divided, the Jews possessed Mt. Zion. I was required by the Jews to wear a head covering to go up on that mountain. On the day of Pentecost when Peter stood up with the eleven and preached the first gospel sermon, he referred to David's tomb "being with us to this day." There thousands gathered and were told for the first time that they had crucified God's Son, that he was buried and that God raised him from the dead. What they did on Mt. Calvary had turned out to be the slaying of the Lamb of God that would take away their sins as well as the sins of all the world.

On Mt. Zion was the end of the law and the beginning of the Grace of God. When Peter said to them, "'Therefore, let all the house of Israel know that God has made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.' When the people heard this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" Peter then added the same gift for you and me when he said, "This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off…for all whom the Lord our God will call." [Acts 2:37-39]

John Kent penned the song, "On Zion's glorious summit stood a numerous host redeemed by blood. They hymned their King in strains divine, I heard the song and strove to join, I heard the song and strove to join."

-John Young