Using Mountain Top Experiences to Instill Urgency in World Missions | Matthew 25:1-13

by ashley | Adventure Theology, Evangelism, Missions, Teachable Moments

Recently I was talking with a college student friend about their life and felt the nudge from Jesus to share the Gospel with him. He listened really well and I could tell he was understanding the message pretty well. In just a moment I’ll tell you how he responded.

As the sun was setting on Jesus’ earthly ministry, after three years of loving, shepherding, and diligently apprenticing his followers, Jesus took his faithful few friends up to the Mount of Olives. So often did Jesus withdraw privately with a small group of his friends, that one has to wonder why this pattern was so evident in his ministry?

JESUS USED WILDERNESS RETREATS FOR CLARITY OF COMMUNICATION

Among the many brilliant reasons for pulling away his few faithful followers, often to the outdoors, one of the most obvious reasons was for clarity of communication. Jesus had life or death truth to share. He knew that his message MUST get through to a few so that they would carry his message faithfully after he was soon to be gone.

mountain top experiences instill urgency for missions

Jesus used mountain top experiences for clarity of communication with his followers.

Mathew 25 records one of these important life or death conversations. As the Twelve Disciples sat around him, processing something Jesus said probably just hours before about the signs of the end of the age, one of them asked, “Tell us, when all these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

In the quiet classroom of this mountain enclave, Jesus shared a parable to explain ahead of time that some people would respond to the Gospel with apathy and delay, and others would respond with gratitude and urgency. Ultimately at the end of the age, when Jesus returns (which he most certainly will), there will be people who have put off responding to the offer of God’s grace and forgiveness, and sadly at that point it will be too late. This parable frames the reality of life or death, depending on how one responds to the Gospel. Let’s read what Jesus said:

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.

And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13)

SADLY, SOME WILL DELAY WHICH IS WHY WE MUST KEEP SHARING

In the story I started telling above about my college-age friend, he thanked me for sharing but said, “I want to spend some more time thinking about it.” I’m glad he is thinking about it, but because I care for him, I was sad to walk away from that conversation wondering if he will ever respond to Jesus’ invitation. Lord Jesus please open the eyes of the blind in our midst!

It pains us to see our friends delay their response to the Good News of Jesus. And it should make us sad because what we are sharing is not just a message to improve their life. It is life or death. We are extending an invitation to eternal life. Over the years I have experienced many times students saying, “I’ll think about it…”, or “I’m not sure if I’m ready yet.”

That is exactly what this parable is about: Delay and Urgency.

Jesus taught another parable about the houses built on the sand and the rock. He explained that if you build your life on the sand of self sufficiency rather than on the rock of belief in Jesus Christ, when the storm comes its too late. Jesus calls people to an immediate response. Delay is not necessary or recommended.

“But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:49)

URGENCY AND PRAYER ARE IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS TO GOSPEL PROCLAMATION

Let us pray for student ministry locally and globally this year that youth leaders, para church leaders, and student ministry directors will have the boldness to share the Gospel and help young people understand that Jesus is inviting them to, “Come follow Me.” He isn’t offering a self-improvement plan. He is saying, “I’ve come for you, now follow me”. Adventure awaits those who will humbly respond. A flood of regret is in store for those who turn down his gracious invitation. This reality will cause us to lean much more on prayer, because it is God who softens hearts and opens eyes.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, please have mercy on our young people this school year. Please open the eyes of those who I get to meet and spend time with. Please till the soil of their heart to make them like good soil to receive the message of your Good News when we share it with them!

REFLECTION

In what ways have you seen wilderness retreats with a small group be used for clarity of communication like Jesus used them with his followers?
Can you remember back to any lessons you learned or journaled about while up on a mountain? Are you still on track or do you need to get away and spend some time listening to Jesus speaking into your life?
Who are some friends who you desire to share the Gospel with in the next couple of months? Pray for Jesus to prepare their hearts and create an opportunity for you to share.