Every mountain range has its own character. The Appalachians beckon with forested gentleness. The Rockies ruggedly stand with jagged peaks, and the Cascades boast beauty that covers volcanoes like a blanket.

The Bible reveals a unique mountain range—God's Mountain Range of Truth. Events that took place on physical mountains form a figurative mountain range that proclaim God's truth.

The Ascension of Christ, South Germany, 1700

A notable summit is Mount Sinai, also called Mount Horeb. Here, God appeared to Moses at the burning-but-not-consumed bush and called him to lead the people out of Egypt (Exodus 3). Here the Lord gave His written Law (Exodus 19 and following). Here, the people danced around their golden false god, and here Moses pleaded on behalf of God's wayward people (Exodus 32).

Hundreds of years later, Elijah fled to this same mountain when his spirit was deflated and his life was in danger. Here the Lord rebuked His prophet's self-reliance and renewed Elijah's zeal. Here, God reminded His prophet of the power in the still small voice of His Word (1 Kings 19).

Even more glorious peaks come into focus as we traverse from prophesy to fulfillment. Jesus teaches Gospel-hungry souls in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). On the Mount of Transfiguration, we see that Jesus' "face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light." (Matthew 17:2) We also hear the Father's assuring words, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Matthew 17:5)

This brief view of glory and the Father's words are encouraging when we see what happens after Jesus came down from the Mount of Olives in His Palm Sunday procession to Jerusalem (Matthew 21). Again at the Mount of Olives, Jesus prayed mightily that, if it were possible, the cup of suffering might pass from Him, but ultimately submitting to His Father's plan of salvation, "Your will be done." (Matthew 26:42)

In God's Mountain Range of Truth there are beautiful mountains, but one that stands out because of its ugliness: a low mountain in the shape of a skull where enemies crucified the Son of God (Luke 23:33). Here, the Father Who had declared pleasure in His Son, forsook Him because He was bearing our sins. Yet, even this hideous mountain is wrapped in beauty, for it is here that the Son of God cried out, "It is finished" (John 19:30), so that like a river, forgiveness of sins continues to flow out of a redemption that is complete.

It was from a mountain in Galilee that the victoriously risen Savior gave us our commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:18) Later, returning to the Mount of Olives, "as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands [Jesus] blessed [His disciples]. While he blessed them, he . . . was carried up into heaven." (Luke 24:50-51)

Jesus' ascension is the final summit in a singular mountain range. All was fulfilled, Immanuel—God with us—had come and completed His work. From peak to peak, we see the mountains of our sins, but rising ever higher are the beautiful mountains of God's grace. There we see a glorified Savior stretching out His hands to bless His own–blessing which continues to us day-by-day and in every condition until our ascended Lord brings us home to the place He has prepared (John 14:3).

After Jesus ascended, the disciples stared at the sky, heard the angels' message (Acts 1:11), and then "worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." (Luke 24:53) Ten days later, empowered by the Holy Spirit, they began to share in earnest the panorama of the beautiful mountains of God's Truth.

They really are beautiful mountains, and we too are given the gift of being the messengers upon those mountains to proclaim the good news of our ascended Lord and a salvation complete. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news . . . who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" (Isaiah 52:7)

Wayne Eichstadt is pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley, Washington.