A Church that Moves Mountains

If I were to ask any member of our congregation as to what is the greatest power of the local church, what kind of answers might be expected? Perhaps some would suggest the power of our unity and love for each other, since Jesus stated that it would by our love for each other that people would know we belong to Him (John 13:34-35). Perhaps some would answer that our greatest power is found in sharing the gospel, since the Apostle Paul explains that it is only by the gospel of Jesus Christ that a life can forever be changed (Romans 1:16). Or perhaps others would attest the power of our service together since Jesus taught that by our good works other people would give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). While each of these responses (and probably several others) are true examples of the power of the local church, there is only one by which Jesus described as having the power to “move a mountain.” Jesus made these remarks in Matthew 21:18-22 (the same account is also recorded in Mark 11:20-24). Of course, a reading of this passage reveals that mountain-moving power is found in prayer. But just what does Jesus mean by this comment? Does he really want us to move literal mountains? And how many Christians or churches do you know that have moved a mountain recently?

Note the passage in question:

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

To understand this passage, a calibration in geography helps immensely. Biblical geography instructs that Jesus was on a route that was commonly used during his day, a route that would take travelers from Bethany to Jerusalem and back. Even two thousand years later, this route is easily traceable, meaning that the “mountain” and the “sea” to which Jesus referred can be specifically identified. While Matthew leaves the mountain unidentified to the reader (something which he commonly does in his gospel), Jesus refers to “this” mountain, meaning he has a specific landscape in mind. Following the route they were on, the mountain to which he is referring is most likely Herodium, the mountain-fortress built by King Herod. Unique among other mountains in the landscape, Herodium was the only mountain that was man-made. Herod had used exorbitant taxes and slave labor among the Jews to literally build an opulent palace for himself. It stood out in the Judean landscape as a reminder of his gross injustice and idolatry. From this same vantagepoint, the most obvious “sea” would be the Dead Sea, a lifeless landmark often used to refer to judgment due to its high chemical content.

Understanding the specific “mountain” and “sea” to which Jesus was referring in his teaching on prayer, how can we be challenged and encouraged in this great power to which God promises?

Note two specific ways in which the power of prayer in the local church is informed.

1. The things for which we are to pray.

Herod epitomized the sins of injustice and idolatry in 1st century Judea. His reign was a constant reminder of the cruelty of human government that abandons allegiance to God alone. The mountain-palace which he had created was a constant reminder of the oppression of God’s people. Of course, Jesus the Messiah came not only to end political injustice. He came first to end the oppressiveness of sin. He came to usurp the wicked reign of sin in the human heart and set up His own glorious rule. He would ultimately accomplish this glorious coup by His own death on the cross and resurrection.

As His disciples heard His words on prayer that could move a mountain, they noted specifically that the mountain was one of injustice and idolatry. When they prayed, and when we pray, we are to implore the King to remove the mountain of sin which is all around us. We are to pray that Jesus will set up His rule in the lives of people around us, just as He has in our own. Could there be a bigger mountain to move for the church?

2. The manner in which we are to pray.

When Jesus pointed to the Herodium as “this” mountain that could be cast into the sea, His disciples would immediately understand the context. Their generation, and their parents’, had witnessed this mountain move on the backs of heavy labor. Perhaps some of the disciples own relatives had been involved in moving that mountain—one bucket at a time.

While the One who speaks mountains into existence can certainly move them in a moment, this is not the manner in which Herod’s mountain was moved. It was moved one small piece at a time over a long span. It was moved in the cooperation of many workers. The mountains moved by our prayers are not as momentous as they are painstakingly persistent.

What kind of power do we have as a church? We have the power to move the mountains of sin and wickedness all around us and too often within us! How do we move this mountain? We pray together…day after day after day!

In Continuous Prayer for You and with You,

Jason