While traveling in Paris, my husband and I decided to enjoy the view atop the Arch of Triumph. Choosing adventure over ease, we elected to climb the 284 stairs to reach the sky-high destination instead of taking the elevator. A good part of the climb required us to step up ever-higher in what seemed like an endless spiral staircase. When we emerged at the apex, we relished the panoramic view of the city—a view made possible by our 162-foot ascent!
In the Old Testament, Jacob dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven (Genesis 28:12-15). Angels ascended and descended on the structure. And God stood at the top and said, “I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham” (Genesis 28:13).
Centuries later, Jesus referenced a staircase like the one in Jacob’s dream. He had just revealed Himself to Nathaniel as the Messiah in a miraculous way (John 1:48-49). To the awestruck new disciple recruit and others, Jesus said, “You will see greater things than this . . [you’ll see] angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth” (John 1:50-51).
With this image, Jesus taught the disciples that He was (and is) the way to get to heaven (John 14:6). We can’t reach God on our own. Attempting this would be like trying to jump into the clouds from the earth—impossible! Thankfully, Jesus bridges the gap between God and us.
He’s the Lamb of God (John 1:29), the One who takes away our sin when we believe in Him. If you know Jesus, you can look forward to spending eternity with Him. If you don’t, today is the perfect time to consider the One who died for you—your personal “stairway to heaven.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 16:1-18
More:
Read Isaiah 64:6 to see why it’s impossible for us to reach God without Jesus.
Next:
What aspect of being with Jesus appeals to you the most? Why do you suppose He would refer to a stairway like the one in Jacob’s dream?
Gary Shultz on August 16, 2015 at 6:47 am
Wow, I’m not sure I can answer what aspects appeal most when with Jesus. I think that’s what’s so great there are always new avenues, we can settle back with thankfulness, move to praise, roll around something on our mind, confess, all of that is appealing to me, I’m in the presence of my Lord…… The stairway? I’m sure there some deep reasons; however to me, like yourself in Paris, to take each step is important. It was not a fiery chariot or in today’s account an elevator, it was stairs. Our relationship is one step at a time, each step accomplished, a step closer, a step sweeter. The view will be great when we get to the top too. Thanks
Winn Collier on August 21, 2015 at 4:36 pm
Our family saw the Arch this summer. We only drove under it – but wow!