Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man.” (John 1:50-51)
Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 7:14 – 9:35
Relate: Jacob was running for his life. He had conspired with his mom, tricked his dad, and cheated his brother. Against his brother this was the last straw and like Cain with Abel, Esau was out for blood. Jacob was convinced enough that this was no idle threat that he fled the promised land quick in such a hurry that he brought nothing with him except the clothes on his back. As the sun went down on the first night of his flight, he rested his head, grabbed a stone for a pillow, and fell into the world of dreams.
Through his dream, God showed him a stairway that stretched from earth to heaven and angels were coming and going on this stairway. At the top of the stairway God Himself speaks. First, He confirms the promise he made first to Abraham and then Isaac. Then, God promised to be with Jacob, to protect him, and to bring him safely back home. Jacob named that place Bethel and, although it took twenty years, it was to Bethel that he did return. By then God had given him a new name. Israel.
React: It is a son of Israel that God calls Nathanael. Then, after Nathanael acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God, Jesus tells Nathanael that, like his ancestor, he will see angels ascending and descending. But there’s a twist. I don’t think I ever caught this before my prayer time today. Jacob saw a stairway. Nathanael will see Jesus who is the “stairway” through which the angels come. Jesus is the stairway. He is the means through which the angels can come to minister to us. He is also the means, the only means, by which we can ascend to heaven.
Respond:
Jesus, You are the Way. The only Way. I know that yet still, time and again I find myself trying to ascend into Your presence by my own efforts. Jacob did nothing worthy of seeing You and Nathanael received the promise of the same only when he acknowledged that You are God and King. Help me to acknowledge in head heart and soul Your Lordship. You are the Way. Let me ascend it.
THE RIVER WALK 
Reblogged this on Rosevoc2's Blog.
Thank you!
Yes…imagine the sheer glory of the gateway to the throne of God!! Beautiful study, BJ. Bless you ~Zoey
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). A powerful reminder that there’s only one way to God. God bless.
Excellent insight and revelation. Jesus IS the stairway. It brings to mind the arrogance of the Babylonians trying to build their own stairway to heaven. They believed in their own power, their own infallibility, and assumed they could ascend to heaven of their own skill. Too often, we try to build our own staircases out of situations, towards a goal, as monuments to our own achievements. But it’s a futile task. We have only One stairway. We can’t choose The Way if we we are building our own way. I’d much rather lean on the strength of Christ than on the weakness of my own understanding. Thank you so much for this. I needed it today.
I Have ascended Mt Sinai 16 times – got no closer to God that way, but the view was wonderful! Read through my Bible far more times did get closer there on every page!
Very beautiful study! Very encouraging words….Thanks for sharing a Godly message with us…A big AMEN to the above!!!
just about awesome. love it, especially the contrast with the stairways:)
Such an encouraging comment. While God hold the choice of when and how as well as too whom he reveals Himself to, I truly believe that it cannot happen until we accept Him and openly allow him to speak to us. Your comment is so true. Thanks – Bill
Jesus is Jacob’s ladder! That’s a great bit of revelation.
I always wonder if I’ll be around when Jesus returns, and exactly what that would look like. Will a stairway open up, or will he simply descend the way he ascended?