The call to ascend can be likened to when Jesus saw the crowd and went up the hill. The scripture says his disciples came unto him right there up the hill. Today Jesus can see the crowd; we are much more than the people he saw in Matthew 5:1. But the issues of the hour that God wants to pour out of his heart are not for the crowd. They are for those who are truly ready.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them (Matthew 5:1-2, NIV)
Will you Pass the Readiness Test?
The test of readiness is Jesus going up the hill. Anyone who climbs up the hill with him will pass the test and self-select to participate in all that God has to unfold and do. The Bible says God is not a respecter of persons, no He is not a partial God, he does not show favoritism, and he accepts anyone who draws near.
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Acts 10:34-35
Jesus is Sitting and Waiting up the Hill
The Bible says if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Again, the scripture says God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Jesus went up the hill and sat down there waiting. While sitting down, his disciples climbed up the hill to meet him. Friends, today I see Jesus ‘sitting up the hill’ waiting to have us come and learn of Him. He wants to teach us the life and ways of the Kingdom. He wants to equip us with the kingdom principles that can set us up for success in life and ministry.
From Decision to Actually Climbing
It takes someone who is ready and willing to be taught and learn to put up the effort to climb higher up the hill. It takes someone with a disciple’s heart. Choosing to draw near to God and come up yonder is a decision and choice each of us must make. The Bible says as soon as the disciples joined him up the hill, Jesus opened his mouth and taught them.
No Comfort Zone, there is a Price!
The secret to accessing the deeper knowledge of God has not changed. God still teaches us by His Spirit. The scripture says God’s Spirit will teach us all things. But we have a part to play. We must make the choice to come out of our comfort zone and overcome every hesitation to remain in the crowd. We must act like the disciples and make the move to draw closer to the Lord. That can mean separating ourselves apart for the Lord to speak to us, opening the Bible to study it so that God can reveal his mind to us and teach us His ways. We must overcome every inertia, hesitation, and self-indulgence and close the door to distraction; so that we can listen to Him and have him speak personally to us the Word of Life.
Not an Event, It is a Daily Experience
Attending meetings is great, but the greatest encounter you can have with God is not an event, it is a daily walk between you and God. It is a daily life of consecration and setting part. God wants to speak the deep things of His kingdom to us by His Spirit, but we have a part to play. We must climb the hill of consecration, fervent prayer dedication, fasting, studying, and retreating. Will you join us up the hill with the Lord?
