The Mountaintop

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to stand at the top of the world on Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953, has died in his native New Zealand at age 88. Hillary always described himself as an ordinary guy. His humility was clearly seen when he said that the accomplishment was a joint effort with Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay, his climbing companion. It was Tenzing who years later credited Hillary with being the first one at the summit.

News of the daring achievement reached England on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Four days later she knighted the explorer, and he became Sir Edmund Hillary. He was beloved by the Nepalese Sherpa community for launching extensive social and educational programs subsequent to his astonishing ascent, and his death deeply saddened his many friends and associates in the Sherpa community.

Sir Hillary’s courageous conquest of Everest reflects many stirring Bible themes. Most of the enduring spiritual lesson were taught through mountaintop experiences. Noah emerged from the ark after it came to rest atop the mountains of Ararat, thought to be located in eastern Turkey and received God’s rainbow-accompanied promise to never again destroy the earth (Gen. 8). Abraham found a substitute ram to sacrifice instead of his son Isaac on Mount Moriah, believed to be the Temple Mount ridge in Jerusalem (Gen. 22:13 & 14). Although he was forbidden to enter because of his intemperate outburst striking the rock in wilderness (Num. 20:11 & 12), Moses was allowed to view the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo in what is present-day central Jordan (Deut. 34:4). Peter, James and John saw the transfigured Christ atop a high mountain (Matt. 17:1 & 2).

Speaking of a "mountaintop experience" has its basis in Isaiah 58:14. "Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth…"

The cramped barren summit of Everest allows for only about six people to stand at one time. Each year, hundreds of people attempt to reach that spot within the seeming reach of heaven high above every other elevation, and many have died trying.

Some years ago I visited the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. A rock from the summit of Gore Mountain has been placed at an easily accessible spot near the museum. A sign says that anyone who places his feet there can say he has been to the mountaintop.

In the gracious plan of God, spiritual summiting is not available to just a select few or through a contrived imitation. Through the victory of Christ on Mount Calvary, each believer may gain ascendancy over sin, death and Hell.

In Christ, God has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus , that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2: 6-10).

During the brief but historic fifteen minutes at the top of the world, Sir Edmund Hillary left a simple cross on Mt. Everest. Jesus Christ left the blood-stained emblem of our salvation on Mount Calvary. "In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime."

David Virkler