And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. Mark 4:13-16
I am steeped in the Song of Solomon these days. What is the spiritual significance behind all those agricultural analogies? As I learn, I am discovering layers of spiritual meaning in the metaphors. My heart is full as I bask in the love of our Bridegroom King, Jesus.
Twice in the Song of Solomon, the Bridegroom King called the Shulamite Bride, who represents the church, to follow Him up the mountain. At His first invitation, the Bride was too immature and afraid to follow Him up the steep mountain of adversity. She refused. But then she missed His presence (S.S. 2 & 3).
By the time of His second invitation, the Bride had matured. She was so lovesick for His presence that she willingly followed Him into any difficulty (the mountain of myrrh) (S.S. 6).
These thoughts were foremost in my mind as I read the Mark verses above. I had not realized before that Jesus called His disciples up the mountain to appoint the 12 apostles. Clearly, they loved Jesus’ presence because they came to Him (v. 13). On the mountain, in His presence, Jesus appointed them into the privileged position of being “with Him” (v.13). He appointed them so that He might send them out to preach (v. 14). And He appointed them to have power to heal sickness and to cast out demons (v. 15).
Up the mountain of adversity, in Jesus’ presence is where you and I will have the privilege of abiding with Him. That is where we will receive our commissioning. It is the place where we will be given His power and authority. Are we lovesick enough to follow His call up the mountain to be in His presence? Are we mature enough to follow Him, come what may?