He 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).
Background music attribution: The O’Neill Brothers Group, The Holly & The Ivy from Joyous Christmas Carols on Piano
He lay for the night, in a certain place, spent and on the run. With a rock for his pillow, at the gate of heaven, he named the place Bethel, the house of God.
In a dream, he saw a way between heaven and earth open up.
The way could only be seen in a dream. But, in this divinely-given vision, God allowed Jacob to see that there was a way into the heavenly realm.
God then restated His covenant previously made with Abraham and Isaac. He promised to be with Jacob until all had come to pass (Genesis 28:13).
The With-Us-God blessed Jacob to see the way to God—one which wouldn’t be realized for millennia to come.
But when the time had come, so did the Way—birthed in a Bethlehem stable—for the Way is not a place, but a Person.
And, as seen in the vision and foretold by Jesus, the angels of God would ascend and descend upon Him.
Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man (John 1:51).
Upon meeting Nathanael, at the start of His ministry and the calling of the Twelve, Jesus referred to Jacob’s dream. He was connecting the dots. He was stating His purpose.
Later, He declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Jesus didn’t just make a way for us . . . He is the Way.
It is a way opened by His blood and obedience. A way planned and prepared in eternity, then paved by His death, resurrection, and ascension.
By the grace of God, through faith, we come to the Father by the Way, Jesus Christ.
The Lord revealed to Jacob that ancient night that there was a way to the Father. He then provided that Way, so all who believe may enter—until all comes to pass.