Hope and Intercession: The Significance of the Mount of Olives

Devotional

Day 1: The Mount of Olives: A Place of Divine Encounter

The Mount of Olives has been a significant site of worship and prophecy throughout biblical history. It is a place where the complex relationship between humanity and the divine is vividly illustrated. King David ascended this mountain in a moment of despair, seeking refuge from his son Absalom's rebellion. Despite building a magnificent temple for God, Solomon turned away to worship other gods here. In the time of Jesus, the Mount of Olives became a pivotal location in His ministry. It was from this mountain that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. The Mount of Olives stands as a testament to God's enduring presence and the hope we find in Him. [01:51]

Zechariah 14:4 (ESV): "On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward."

Reflection: Consider a place in your life where you have experienced both worship and struggle. How can you invite God's presence into that space today?

Day 2: Jesus' Unwavering Commitment to Humanity

In the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Jesus demonstrated His unwavering commitment to humanity. Despite the weight of the world's sin pressing upon Him, He chose to fulfill His mission of redemption. This act of sacrifice reminds us of His love and dedication to us. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane was a moment of deep anguish, yet it was also a moment of profound commitment to His purpose. His willingness to endure suffering for the sake of humanity is a powerful testament to His love and dedication. [15:10]

Matthew 26:39 (ESV): "And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by a challenge. How can you draw strength from Jesus' example of commitment and surrender in Gethsemane?

Day 3: Jesus' Intercession on Our Behalf

Jesus' ascension from the Mount of Olives assures us of His ongoing intercession on our behalf. He stands in the gap, advocating for us before the Father. This intercession provides us with comfort and hope, knowing that we have a Savior who is actively involved in our lives. Jesus' role as our High Priest means that He continually intercedes for us, bringing our needs and struggles before God. This assurance of His advocacy is a source of great comfort and hope for believers. [21:54]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you need Jesus' intercession. How can you bring this need before Him in prayer today?

Day 4: The Promise of Jesus' Return

The Mount of Olives is a reminder of Jesus' promised return. The prophet Zechariah foretold a day when the Lord would stand on this mountain, signaling His triumphant return. This promise encourages us to live each day with the expectation of His return, providing us with hope and motivation. The anticipation of Jesus' return is a central aspect of Christian hope, urging believers to live with a sense of readiness and expectation. [30:51]

Acts 1:11 (ESV): "And said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'"

Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return influence your daily decisions and priorities? What is one change you can make today to live with greater expectation of His return?

Day 5: Living with Hope and Expectation

As believers, we are called to live with the hope and expectation of Jesus' return. The Mount of Olives serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of Jesus' commitment, intercession, and promise to return. This hope sustains us through life's challenges and encourages us to remain faithful. Living with hope and expectation means actively trusting in God's promises and allowing them to shape our lives. It is a call to remain steadfast in faith, even amidst difficulties. [36:17]

1 Thessalonians 5:6 (ESV): "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Reflection: Reflect on a challenge you are currently facing. How can the hope of Jesus' return provide you with strength and encouragement to persevere?

Sermon Summary

The Mount of Olives holds a profound significance in the biblical narrative, serving as a place of hope and divine encounter. This mountain, a single peak in a ridge that borders eastern Jerusalem, has been a site of worship and prophecy throughout history. It was here that King David, in a moment of despair, ascended barefoot and weeping, seeking refuge from his son Absalom's rebellion. It was also here that Solomon, despite building a magnificent temple for God, turned away to worship other gods. The Mount of Olives stands as a testament to the complex relationship between humanity and the divine, a place where worship and idolatry have both found expression.

In the time of Jesus, the Mount of Olives became a pivotal location in His ministry. It was from this mountain that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. It was here that He delivered the Olivet Discourse, speaking of the end times. And it was here, in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus prayed in anguish, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to humanity. The Mount of Olives is not just a historical site; it is a symbol of Jesus' dedication to us, His intercession on our behalf, and His promise to return.

As believers, we are reminded of the hope that the Mount of Olives represents. Jesus' ascension from this mountain assures us of His ongoing intercession for us. He stands in the gap, advocating for us before the Father. Moreover, the Mount of Olives is a reminder of Jesus' promised return. The prophet Zechariah foretold a day when the Lord would stand on this mountain, splitting it in two, signaling His triumphant return. This promise gives us hope, encouraging us to live each day with the expectation of His return.

In our journey of faith, the Mount of Olives serves as a beacon of hope. It reminds us of Jesus' commitment, His intercession, and His promise to return. As we navigate the challenges of life, we can find solace in the knowledge that Jesus is with us, advocating for us, and preparing to return for us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Mount of Olives as a Place of Worship and Hope: The Mount of Olives has been a site of worship and divine encounter throughout history. It reminds us of the complex relationship between humanity and the divine, where both worship and idolatry have found expression. This mountain serves as a testament to God's enduring presence and the hope we find in Him. [01:51]
2. Jesus' Commitment to Humanity: In the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Jesus demonstrated His unwavering commitment to humanity. Despite the weight of the world's sin pressing upon Him, He chose to fulfill His mission of redemption. This act of sacrifice reminds us of His love and dedication to us. [15:10]
3. Jesus' Intercession for Us: Jesus' ascension from the Mount of Olives assures us of His ongoing intercession on our behalf. He stands in the gap, advocating for us before the Father. This intercession provides us with comfort and hope, knowing that we have a Savior who is actively involved in our lives. [21:54]
4. The Promise of Jesus' Return: The Mount of Olives is a reminder of Jesus' promised return. The prophet Zechariah foretold a day when the Lord would stand on this mountain, signaling His triumphant return. This promise encourages us to live each day with the expectation of His return, providing us with hope and motivation. [30:51]
5. Living with Hope and Expectation: As believers, we are called to live with the hope and expectation of Jesus' return. The Mount of Olives serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of Jesus' commitment, intercession, and promise to return. This hope sustains us through life's challenges and encourages us to remain faithful. [36:17]
** [36:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:51] - Historical Significance of the Mount of Olives
[04:34] - Prophecies and the Coming Messiah
[07:42] - The Last Supper and Jesus' Sacrifice
[09:42] - Reflecting on the Lord's Supper
[12:29] - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane
[15:10] - The Weight of Atonement
[17:03] - Jesus' Commitment to Us
[18:26] - Jesus' Ascension and Intercession
[19:46] - The Great Commission
[21:54] - Jesus as Our High Priest
[23:42] - The Role of the High Priest
[24:37] - Jesus' Intercession for Our Struggles
[25:37] - The Hope of Jesus' Return
[26:30] - Zechariah's Prophecy and the Second Coming
[30:51] - Living with Hope and Expectation
[31:52] - The Savior of the World
[34:29] - A Personal Story of Hope
[36:17] - Conclusion: Jesus' Commitment, Intercession, and Return

Sermon Clips

1) "And we know Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. In fact, he fulfilled some 300 prophecies concerning the Messiah. Someone has done studies about that and said that to fulfill even 48 of the 300 plus prophecies would be something like one in 10 to the 157th power. In other words, it's scientifically impossible for one man to fulfill all of those prophecies. Yet, with God, all things are possible. And it just goes to show us that no one could set themselves up as Messiah and try to fulfill all of those prophecies on their own." [04:34] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "This night on the Mount of Olives reminds us of this important truth. Jesus is committed to us. Amen. I want us to consider briefly Luke 22, verses 39 to 47. If you have that copy of your copy of God's Word, turn there in your Bible. Luke chapter 22, verses 39 and following. The last supper has occurred, and with Jesus' object lesson, just as we... ...experienced fresh on their minds, his declaration that all of them would turn their backs on him in the hours that followed. The disciples now join Jesus on the Mount of Olives. And Luke mentions the normalcy of this event in verse 39. He says, Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives and his disciples followed him." [12:29] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "If there was any other way for Jesus to redeem mankind, he would have taken it, but he knew there was no other way. And so while he prayed, Father, if it be your will, let this cup pass from me, he then said, yet not my will, but yours be done. You see, Jesus was committed to us. He went to the cross for your sins, for my sins, for the sins of the world. He wanted us to be set free from the sin that so easily entangles us, and instead to be invigorated by his Holy Spirit that sanctifies us and empowers us for each day of our lives." [15:10] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "So with what sin are you struggling? Well, confess it to Jesus, and he'll take it to the throne. What burden are you carrying? Give it to Jesus, and he'll take it to the throne. What's stealing your joy? Give that to Jesus, and he'll take it to the throne. You see, if you have a mountain that you can't climb, if you have an answer you can't find, take it to Jesus. If your situation seems hopeless, your sin unforgivable, your prayer unanswerable, just take it to Jesus, and he'll take it to the Father." [24:37] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "In our politically charged world in which we live with an election coming up, there's a lot of fear. And it's been interesting to notice that both political parties are saying the same thing. Those guys are evil and will destroy America, but we've got the answer. We're the savior. Doesn't matter if they're Democrats or Republicans, male, female, what ethnicity, they say the same thing. Those people are evil, we've got the answer. Let me tell you this, the savior of the world, the savior of America is not a donkey or an elephant, it's a lamb. Jesus Christ is the savior of the world and he is coming back. That gives us hope." [31:52] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "So as we go through times that are challenging, I encourage you, ascend the Mount of Olives from time to time. Because it's a place of hope. Look over Jerusalem. Remember the mountain ranges that brought the people of God to that place. And the mountain ranges the people of God have been in through all different times. And remember that Jesus is committed to us. Jesus is interceding for us. And Jesus is coming back for us." [36:17] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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