On the Mountain

March 10, 2024 homily on Psalm 121 and Matthew 5:1-14 by Pastor Galen

A Psalm of Ascents

Psalm 121 is a “Song of Ascents,” meaning that it was one of the songs sung by Jewish pilgrims making their way to worship at the temple in Jerusalem. Since Jerusalem was built on a hill, no matter which direction you were traveling from, the journey involved ascending—traveling uphill.

For many of the pilgrims making their way uphill to worship in Jerusalem, the upward nature of the journey no doubt felt symbolic, as the temple in Jerusalem was believed to be the dwelling palace of God—the place where Heaven and earth met. Walking up the hill toward the city of Jerusalem must have made the pilgrims feel as though they were not just climbing to a higher elevation, but ascending to greater spiritual heights as well.

During that long and tiresome journey to the temple in Jerusalem, the pilgrims kept their spirits alive by imagining what it would be like when they finally saw the beautiful city of Jerusalem far off in the distance, high upon the hills. They longed for their journey to be complete, to finally reach their destination—not just because they were tired and their feet were sore, not just because the sun was blazing hot, and not just because the darkness of the night was terrifying to those who were unaccustomed to camping in the wilderness. They longed for their journey to be complete because they longed to be in the presence of God. They longed to worship in God’s holy temple, to offer praise and prayer and thanksgiving, and to offer sacrifices so that they could experience reconciliation with God. They longed to feel a closeness and intimacy with God that they thought could only be experienced in the temple. 

As the pilgrims made their way through deserts and wildernesses, mountains and valleys on their way to Jerusalem, they sang songs such as Psalm 121 to remind each other of God’s care and protection, and to encourage each other to keep pressing on.

I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore (Psalm 121).

The Sermon on the Mount

In Matthew chapter 5, we see pilgrims ascending a different mountain (we don’t know which one), but with a similar hunger and desire and longing for closeness with God. Many in Jesus’s time had grown weary of the way that the religious institutions of their day excluded those who were on the margins of society. They were frustrated by religious leaders who seemed more intent on lining their own pockets or colluding with the Roman empire to gain power and influence than on teaching and leading the people in worship. They wondered if God’s spirit still dwelt in the temple, and if the temple in Jerusalem was indeed still the place where Heaven and earth met. 

But then they heard that there was a traveling teacher by the name of Jesus who was traveling around ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of everyday people. They heard he welcomed outcasts and those whom society considered unclean, and that he was humble and compassionate. And they were drawn to him. They went out to the wilderness and climbed a mountain to hear what he had to say. They went to receive his healing touch, and to experience the closeness and intimacy with God that they longed for. Indeed, they expereinced the reality that Jesus was the true temple—the dwelling place of God. It was in Jesus that Heaven and earth met.

Many among them were poor. Many were mourning and grieving the loss of loved ones. Many had been marginalized and oppressed. And so when they heard Jesus speak, it must have felt that he was speaking directly to them. “Blessed are the poor in spirit…blessed are those who mourn…blessed are the meek…blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [justice].” And with each blessing, there was a promise. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are poor in spirit. Those who mourn will be comforted. The meek will inherit the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.

The common thread through these attributes is a humble recognition of our need and dependence on God. Those who recognized their need and dependence on God found mercy, healing, and grace through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, they experienced reconciliation and intimacy with God. 

And the invitation is given to us today, to come and experience the life-giving, transforming grace of God through Jesus Christ. During this season of Lent, may we join those pilgrims who made their way to a mountain to hear what Jesus had to say. And may we continue to follow Jesus along the Way, not just being hearers of the word, but doers. May we be like a city, set on a hill, pointing others to the light that is Jesus. And may others see our good works, and give glory to our Father in Heaven. Amen!

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. How do you interpret the symbolism of ascending towards a spiritual destination, as described in the sermon? Have you experienced a similar feeling in your own faith journey?

2. Consider the idea of longing for intimacy with God, as described by those who made their way toward the temple to worship. How do you cultivate intimacy with God in your own life?

3. Reflect on the attributes of those who were blessed according to Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. Which of these attributes resonate with you the most, and why?

4. How does humility play a role in recognizing our need and dependence on God, as discussed in the sermon?

5. Consider the metaphor of being a city set on a hill, pointing others to the light of Jesus. How can you embody this metaphor in your daily life?