Read Isaiah 2: Climb God’s Mountain1-5 The Message Isaiah got regarding Judah and Jerusalem:
There’s a day coming
when the mountain of God’s House
Will be The Mountain—
solid, towering over all mountains.
All nations will river toward it,
people from all over set out for it.
They’ll say, “Come,
let’s climb God’s Mountain,
go to the House of the God of Jacob.
He’ll show us the way he works
so we can live the way we’re made.”
Zion’s the source of the revelation.
God’s Message comes from Jerusalem.
He’ll settle things fairly between nations.
He’ll make things right between many peoples.
They’ll turn their swords into shovels,
their spears into hoes.
No more will nation fight nation;
they won’t play war anymore.
Come, family of Jacob,
let’s live in the light of God.
Many peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob." Isaiah 2:3a
Holidays are great fun, especially when brothers and sisters who are scattered across the country gather together for Christmas. Imagine getting a message from a family member in Michigan: "I can't wait to spend Christmas with you at Mom's!" Then you get an e-mail from a brother in California: "Looking forward to catching up when we get in for Christmas!" And then there's a text from a third in North Carolina: "3 1/2 wks & counting-can't wait ..." Our excitement builds when we realize we will be together again, and everyone is looking forward to celebrating together.
In this week's Old Testament Lesson our brothers and sisters in Christ are excited to share a similar message with us: "Let's go up to the house of God!" But it isn't a once-a-year invitation just for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They need us this weekend and every weekend. (They would even love to see you this Wednesday night if there's an Advent service at your church.) Their joy won't be quite as full unless you are there with them!
But if you take a closer look at the verse above you'll notice it says "many peoples" will come and call you. The members of your congregation aren't the only ones calling. All your Christian brothers and sisters around the world are calling you to come on up with them to God's holy mountain.
One of the best examples of this is the National Youth Gathering that was held in San Antonio in July 2013. In the days, weeks, and months before the event you can bet texts and e-mails were flying across the country among friends who were looking forward to spending the week together. And in the weeks after the get-together many more e-mails, texts, tweets, and posts crisscrossed the nation and the world: "That was so great! Wish we could do it again!" Now imagine a worldwide gathering that won't end after a few days but will last forever! That's heaven.
It took a lot of hard work and planning by dozens of dedicated people to put the National Youth Gathering together. But to put our heavenly reunion together it took Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. He suffered and died to take away our sins so we would be fit to come, and He is now preparing a place for us to stay eternally. No wonder your brothers and sisters around the world and in heaven are excited about the journey and are calling you to join them. "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, the house of our God!"
THE PRAYER: Lord, open my ears to hear my brothers and sisters calling me to join them, and let me join my voice with theirs. Especially lead me to call those who have not yet heard Your invitation. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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