It is touted as the smallest mountain in Japan. Soaring a mighty 9.8 feet high, it is Mount Hiyori in Sendai, Japan. Here is a photograph, capturing its imposing facade.
Source: Atlas Obscura
As I gazed upon this, only one question came to mind. What defines a mountain? This sounds like an objective and definable term. However, after perusing the internet, I arrived at several definitions.
A natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill, usually greater than 2,000 feet (610 meters).
Source: Dictionary.com
A raised part of the earth’s surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow.
Source: Cambridge Dictionary
A landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary
The first definition is the most precise but all three lead to more questions. What is the definition of a hill? One would think it would be simple to define what a mountain is but even the expert references do not agree! And once a definition is reached, more questions are raised. Thanks be to God that when He defines something, it is with no uncertainty!
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NASB)
There is no more powerful witness of this Truth than the thief who was crucified on a cross next to Jesus Christ. After three hours of witnessing the noble suffering of Jesus on the Cross, the thief knew that Jesus was God.
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 (NASB)
How are we saved? Do we first need to be baptized or join a church? God is absolutely clear and concise. All we need to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God and believe that He is able to save us from our sins. Baptism and church are important but come later as outward expressions of our new faith. We must first come to the Cross and believe in Jesus Christ. If we do this, like the thief, we will not perish but have eternal life.
There is a reason John 3:16 is one of most frequently quoted verses by believers. It defines salvation: precisely, definitively and with no uncertainty!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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