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Jesus is Jacob's Ladder
I want to take a minute today to deal with the very last verse of today's reading. Jesus has just addressed Nathaniel, but then tells all of those present (indicated by a shift from the singular to plural "you", which is impossible to see in English), saying "You will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Jesus is Jacob's Ladder
I want to take a minute today to deal with the very last verse of today's reading. Jesus has just addressed Nathaniel, but then tells all of those present (indicated by a shift from the singular to plural "you", which is impossible to see in English), saying "You will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
| So what is Jesus talking about? Jesus is referencing what has traditionally been called "Jacob's Ladder", a vivid image from an important dream of Jacob in Genesis 28:10-22 (makes sure to click the link to read this passage so you understand what I'm talking about). The dream is important but pretty cryptic in the Old Testament. It's unclear whether Jacob really understands, but he calls the site "House of God" (Bethel). | 
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"In Hebrew, Bethel means “house of God,” and Jesus is indicating that this is precisely who he is. The vision of Jacob described the locus of revelation, the point of connection between heaven and earth. Jesus is this place. Jesus incarnates the dream of Jacob, and Nathanael is going to see it himself. It is interesting that Nathanael is from Cana; immediately following this promise Jesus moves to Cana and works his first sign (John 2:1–11)." [1] (emphasis mine)
Even thought it's a pretty cryptic statement for us as modern readers, it's loaded with meaning. I think for the most part a lot of us are Old Testament illiterate, which causes us to miss a lot of important information and ideas in the New Testament.
We know from the Gospels we've read so far that Jesus often refers to Himself in unusual ways that are unexpected but loaded with meaning. Instead of calling Himself "Messiah" or "King of Israel" or anything like that (which would be loaded with political meanings for His followers), He uses titles like "Son of Man" and makes statements like this one today. Make no mistake - Jesus knows who He is and declares it openly. Do we have the ears to hear it?
Questions? Comments?
Even thought it's a pretty cryptic statement for us as modern readers, it's loaded with meaning. I think for the most part a lot of us are Old Testament illiterate, which causes us to miss a lot of important information and ideas in the New Testament.
We know from the Gospels we've read so far that Jesus often refers to Himself in unusual ways that are unexpected but loaded with meaning. Instead of calling Himself "Messiah" or "King of Israel" or anything like that (which would be loaded with political meanings for His followers), He uses titles like "Son of Man" and makes statements like this one today. Make no mistake - Jesus knows who He is and declares it openly. Do we have the ears to hear it?
Questions? Comments?
[1] Gary M. Burge, NIV Application Commentary: John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000), 79.
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