Jesus and Mountains

Several verses in the Bible would tell us that Jesus often went up to a mountain to pray: Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, and John 6:15 to mention a few.

St. Matthew records Jesus teaching the Beatitudes on the mountain. It was also on a mountain that Jesus was transfigured and conversed with Moses and Elijah. Towards the end of His life, He ascends humbly to Mt. Zion on a colt, praised and worshiped by the people of Israel – only to find Himself murdered by the temple of aristocracy on Mt. Calvary.

It was also on a mountain, Mt. Zion, that Jesus was tempted by the devil mentioning that he would give to Jesus glory and honor and all the kingdoms of the earth if Jesus would worship the devil in return. It was on the same mountain that Jesus refused the offer of the devil and proclaimed His praise and worship to God; He chose to obey His Father and consequently suffered a gruesome and bloody death. Later on, Jesus announced His full power over heaven and earth on the mountain of Resurrection.

No matter what, let us pray for the grace to be ever-faithful to God and conquer our own mountains. (Johnny Sulit)