March 25, 2004

THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

"He [Jacob] had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it" (Genesis 28:12, NIV).

Two days en route to his uncle Laban in Haran, Jacob arrives in the vicinity of the city of Luz. It is sunset, and he is exhausted, lonely, and guilt-ridden. Under the open sky, Jacob selects a place to sleep with a large, smooth stone serving as a pillow. In his sleep, he dreams of a ladder--or stairway--extending from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. That night, God reveals Himself to Jacob and reassures him of His companionship.

This celestial stairway is a vivid representation of Jesus who would come to earth to unite man to heaven. "The ladder represents Jesus, the appointed medium of communication... Christ connects man in his weakness and helplessness with the source of infinite power."--Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 184. In His conversation with Nathanael, Christ alluded to Jacob's ladder as representing Himself. He said, "Ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:51).

Through Christ, the spiritual stairway between earth and heaven, we now have direct access to God with no go-between. The stairway is wide enough and strong enough to accommodate all who desire to have access to God. Like Jacob, we too can take courage from God's precious promise: "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go" (Genesis 28:15, NIV).

Meditate on these inspiring words: "In taking upon Himself humanity, our Saviour unites His interests with those of the fallen sons and daughters of Adam, while through His divinity he grasps the throne of God. And thus Christ is the medium of communication of men with God, and of God with men."--The Desire of Ages, p. 143.

My Prayer Today: Lord, By Your grace, keep me climbing Jacob's ladder all the way to glory. Amen.