I love the stimulation that TV and film provide. There’s nothing like seeing justice served to the wicked or virtually going on a quirky adventure that you have no idea where it’s going. Television and movie writers can be so creative, and many times lure us into places and situations that we had no intention of going, so that you end up feeling empty or disgusted at the end of the show. Guilty.
I was needing a respite from all the madness of the world in general. Then my wife mentioned that she had started watching The Waltons last year. She was just into the 2nd of 9 seasons. It’s a show that Boomers and Gen Xers are very familiar with, yet maybe never watched. For me, that show never could compete with the Fonz of Happy Days, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Incredible Hulk, and other countless provocative programs of my youth.
Why would I, a teenager, watch a show about a bunch of mountain folk living in the sticks of Virginia when Steve Austin could run 60 miles per hour and kill crime with one bionic arm? But now, 50 years later, the Walton family sounded good to me – a simpler time in America that emphasized family values in the run-up to WWII. So, I started watching.
Stealing from IMDb, The Waltons series ran from 1972 to 1981, portraying life and trials of a 1930s and 1940s Virginia mountain family. The family makes a small income from their family lumber mill. The story is told through the eyes of the eldest son, John-Boy, who becomes a novelist. The Waltons series reflected the life of Earl Hamner Jr., who grew up on Spencer’s Mountain in Virginia. He was the narrator of each episode, assuming the character of John-Boy.
From a Christian perspective, there was less depth to the Walton’s Christian faith than I thought, but it still has some good redeeming values. The family was depicted as being members of the Baptist Church on the mountain, except for John Walton Sr., who claimed to believe in God in his own way. I appreciated his drive for hard work, his wisdom, and his embrace of responsibility. He was a great role model for a father. I just wish he attended church with the family as evidence of the word of God for Christians to gather together and encourage one another.
Grandma Walton was the resident Bible thumper of the family, who was quick with a scowl and cutting remark. There are some authentic statements of faith throughout the episodes featuring baptisms and genuine repentance. Although I don’t remember ever hearing the gospel being properly explained, there was always an element of reverence for God, and they gave thanks before every meal.
Most of all, there was always a deep sense of love and family values throughout each episode. It was refreshing to watch a show where the children were always respectful to their parents and grandparents. There was never a thought of talking back or disobedience. Yet, you wouldn’t believe all the situations that happened around that mountain. There were numerous accounts of racism, an unwed mother, run-away kids, sibling rivalries, jealousy, moonshining, debauchery, gossip, drug addiction, and much unrequited love. But each issue was solved with affection and tenderness.
When Grandpa Walton died (actor Will Geer) between seasons 6 and 7, I felt like I lost my grandpa as well. I was grieving for him now, nearly 50 years after he passed. The actress who portrayed Grandma Walton, Ellen Corby, suffered a stroke, and this was written into the series. As a result, we see her countenance begin to thaw as she recovers.
Watching The Waltons as an adult has given me a cause for pause. How far has the world fallen in 100 years? How much faster is our pace of life in just the last 3 generations? How violent and evil have our society become? Makes me yearn more for the world to come and appreciate what my grandparents lived through at the same time. And yet, Walton’s Mountain will stand in the shadow of the mountain to come. That mountain is in Israel.
The Bible tells us that Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives (see Zechariah 14:4). The Mountain of the Lord will be established. This could be only one place, Jerusalem.
“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and people shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:1-2).
Also, after Jesus’ return, all the nations will be required to send representatives annually to Jerusalem to worship Him during the Feast of Tabernacles (See Zechariah 14:16-17). There are numerous verses directing our attention to the mountain of Israel. See Psalms 48:1-2 and 87:1-2. Psalms 120 to 134 are called the Songs of Ascent, believed to be sung by worshippers as they walked the roads up to Jerusalem.
The city of Jerusalem is situated on the southern spur of a plateau in the Judaean Mountains, which includes the Mount of Olives. Its elevation is only about 2,500 feet above sea level. Interestingly, it’s not even one of the top 10 highest mountains in Israel. But it’s the most important. God chose it to be the location for His chosen people.
“Now the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed‘” (Genesis 12:1-3).
Jesus will establish His temple in Jerusalem and reset the portions of land for the 12 tribes (See Ezekiel 40 – 48). He will rule the world from this mountain.
If you are looking to unplug from these dark times and find rest in a wholesome family program, you will find grace and mercy on Walton’s Mountain. And if you are searching for God and real answers to your suffering, you will find forgiveness, joy and life atop of the Judaean Mountains. Step out of the shadows of your mountain into the light of Jesus Christ.
In case you’ve not heard the gospel in a proper way, it goes like this: There is a deep chasm between us, as created and sinful beings, and the infinite, perfect and Holy God. There was no avenue to Him in Heaven. No unholiness can enter His presence. But He loved us so much, He sacrificed His only Son, and His name is Jesus. He became flesh so that He would become like us and suffer. But He did not sin. He accepted His role to become the Lamb without blemish who would suffer a horrible death. Then He rose from the dead and returned to the Father.
This sacrifice was acceptable to the Father to remove our sin so that chasm would be bridged. When we repent of our sin and believe that Jesus is the Son of God who suffered on our behalf and rose again, we are forgiven. We become righteous on behalf of Jesus, receiving the Holy Spirit as a down payment until we become imperishable in His presence.
You will step out of the shadow of your mountain and will walk in the light with the Lord. And you will one day soon worship Him on the mountain that will be established as the highest in the world – Mount Zion.
Jeff Hauck – on Substack