Throwing Mountains into the Sea

Mark 11:23

“If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and … believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.”

A stirring promise concerning prayer. A strange choice of images. Why would you ever want to talk to the "Alps" or the "Rockies" like that? And what difference would it make if such a strange prayer were answered?

The verse becomes more powerful when you consider the code-like background of the key words in Jesus promise. Consider the two images.

This Mountain. Almost certainly Jesus means the Temple and its official system. Jerusalem was elevated. One of its important names was Mount Zion. And sometimes the Temple itself was referred to as simply “The mountain of the Lord” (Micah 4:2, cf. Ezekiel 20:40). Reading the verses surrounding this one it is clear that the disciples are in view of Jerusalem and the Temple as Jesus teaches. He may have literally pointed at it as he spoke.

The temple of Jesus’ day represents Israel’s failure. Built by Herod (not a King of Israel) it was a symbol of political compromise. The rules enforced within its walls did more to degrade justice than to serve it.

Jesus has just stirred up havoc at the temple overturning tables and driving out sellers. He has prophesied against it calling it a den of thieves and criticising the leaders for failing to make it a house of prayer as God intended. Jesus judges the temple. (Mk 11:12-19, see also Mark 13:2)

The Sea. A place of chaos, rebellion, and judgement. Jonah was thrown into the sea at the height of his rebellion and only rescued by God’s grace (Jonah 1:15). The sea is home to the leviathan (Isa 27:1) and the place from which the beast (Rev 13:1) emerges. People need to be “fished-out” in salvation (Mark 1:17) and it is the image in Genesis of pre-creation (Gen 1:2). In Mark the sea is a place of judgement (Mark 5:13, 9:42)

Praying that “this mountain”, which roughly equals the temple with its failed religion, should throw itself into the “Sea”, which suggests the place of judgement and un-creation, is a bold prayer against Israel’s injustice.

Justice Now. Jesus’ image is more than hyperbole. He is saying that injustice can be conquered through prayer. Big mountains can fall unexpectedly into the sea. 

So, it matters that Christians pray against really big issues. Issues like, terrorism and the mountain of Al Qaeda (of which Bin Laden is only one small part). Or, the mountain of persecution and torture of believers around the world. Or, the mountains of poverty, slavery, climate change, war, Aids, domestic violence, racism, drug cartels, organised crime, etc. Praying against these mountains can have greater effect than we know.

It is valid to think about your personal mountain when you read this passage but don’t stop there. When Jesus said “this mountain” he didn’t just mean the personal problems of his disciples. He meant failed religion, the injustice of a culture, the soul-sickness of a society. Pray against it. Pray believing and you have no idea what your prayers will accomplish.

Communism and the Berlin Wall are two mountains that have been thrown into the sea in my life time. Stories of prayer feature prominently in both these historic events.

So, let’s take up the challenge. Pick a mountain. Choose a massive immovable monumental evil in our world and pray believing. Gather friends and pray with courage. Gather momentum and pray with fervour. Say to this mountain of injustice “Go throw yourself into the sea”. And then watch what God does! 

Questions

• What is your mountain? What injustice are you praying against?
• How do you foster believing prayer?

Your comments are welcome!