Mount of Olives Joy

I felt guilty.

Here I was, frolicking around on a camel at a holy site, the Mount of Olives, and I was giddy.

The Mount of Olives seemed to be Jesus’ special place. Luke tells us that each day he was in Jerusalem he taught at the temple, and each evening he spent the night on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37). It was a room with a beautiful view.

I imagine Jesus liked to be high above the city of Jerusalem so he could pray over the city, and the people. It was most likely a place of solitude for him as well.

Landmark decisions and prophecies were made at the Mount of Olives.

It was at this special place high above Jerusalem that Jesus instructed the disciples to find a donkey for him to ride on, for his triumphant entry (Matthew 21:1-5). The people met him with palm branches, laying their cloaks before him, as Jesus made his descent from the Mount.

It was also at the Mount of Olives that Jesus explained the signs of his return. “He said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pangs” (Mark 13:8).

At the Mount of Olives, Jesus predicted the disciples’ betrayal of him, and pinpointed Peter. “Before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”

Was I no better than Peter, enjoying a camel ride, where Jesus uttered these words? Surely, I should have been on my knees.

It was not surprising that Jesus chose his favorite spot to leave this earth, and gave his final encouraging words to the disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Angels confirmed it will also be at the Mount of Olives where the Lord, in his majesty, will return one day. “’Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” Zechariah 14:4 adds detail: “On that day, his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.”

Jesus’ return will not go unnoticed.

So was I right, or was I irreverent, as I bravely let go of the reigns of Kojak the camel for a photo?

As I prayed about it, I felt the Lord tell me it was OK to be exceedingly happy at his home away from home, because it is at the Mount of Olives where our hope rests, and where victory over death was proclaimed. At this place, Jesus will return, and that should cause us great joy!

“For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

No more disease.

No more sadness.

No more death.

And to top it off, we will live in eternity with God.

Think about it. It is enough to be giddy about, and what better place than the Mount of Olives to smile ear-to-ear?

Our small tour group should have been kicking up our heels at the Mount of Olives, because it is the place that represents our future. I’m just sorry it took a camel ride to celebrate.

Oh Lord, thank you for the promise of your return. Thank you for the hope you give us through belief in your son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the joy we will experience when we meet you in the sky one day. Thank you for what occurred at the Mount of Olives. Alleluia.