Lent Day 9

Good Morning!

Today, our devotional asks us to read John 1:51 and Genesis 28:10-17(Jacob's Ladder).  What an interesting devotion we have this morning!

First, let's acknowledge that the author of the devotion lets us know that March is National Ladder Safety month and 500,000 people are injured each year using a ladder, so be careful!

Now, let's get to the meat and potatoes of the devotion.  In Genesis, Jacob dreams about a ladder connecting heaven and earth and angels are ascending and descending upon it.  Then in John 1:51, Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." We are called to draw a picture depicting a ladder connecting us to God, but I'm not going to do that here.  Instead, I'm going to share my reaction to reading these two pieces of scripture this morning:

WHAT?!  How have I never connected these two passages of scripture before?  I've read John 1:51 countless times but have never put it together with Genesis and Jacob's ladder!  Did Jesus just tell us that he is the ladder that Jacob dreamed of all those years before?!  Or is Jesus the new ladder that links heaven and earth?  Both of these pieces of scripture capture the concept of divine communication and relationship between God and humanity, between heaven and earth, with Jacob's dream foreshadowing the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ as the ladder between God and humanity. 

I don't know about you, but my mind was blown this morning!  I sure do hope to ascend on the ladder that is Jesus when my time comes!  That hope, the fulfilled prophecies, the love, the peace, the joy, the grace, the forgiveness, and mercy are just a few of the reasons that I will continue to walk in His steps.  Why do you walk in His steps?

Blessings,

Pastor Jesse