Jill is back for part two of her series on the story Jacob. She speaks about the dream that Jacob had when he was on the journey to his Uncle Laban's in which he saw a stairway to heaven and received the special promise from the Lord about all that was to happen in Jacob's life and beyond.

Jill speaks about what it's like to be on a journey alone - to feel lonely and isolated, perhaps fearful. Jacob wasn't able to take out his phone or his laptop and instantly connect with others, or find entertainment to distract him from his difficulties. It is so important that we reach out to God, and not these other things when we are in difficult circumstances. In Jacob's case, God reached out to him, and this was the place in which God chose to give Jacob one of the biggest God-encounters of his life.

The stairway that Jacob saw was magnificent, reaching from heaven to earth, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. Then came the voice of God Almighty telling Jacob that all people on earth will be blessed through him. God confirmed what He had already told to Rebekah - that the older son will serve the younger. Perhaps Jacob and Rebekah needn't have sowed so much deception in order to try to make these things happen. Perhaps they should have trusted God that God will always do what God says He will do.

The amazing thing about the stairway that Jacob saw is that it is a picture of Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man" - John 1:51.

Jesus is the stairway to heaven. He is the stairway by which we humans may access the throne room of God. God has provided a ladder for us - His Son, the spotless lamb of God. Because His body was broken and His blood was shed on the cross for us, our sins can be forgiven and our relationship with Father God, which was broken at the fall, can be restored.

Jesus said that He is the way to the Father - "I am the way and the truth and the life. Nobody comes to the Father except through me" - John 14:6

"So let us come boldly to the throne of grace" - Hebrews 4:16

Amen! ...tune in for part 3!

Every Friday morning at Pierrepont (Home of NETS) we come together as a community to worship together, take communion and to feed on the word of God. Here you can listen to these Friday Sermons and discover what God is doing among us.