May 27

And behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven.—Genesis 28:12.

THIS was the vision that Jacob had when he was at Bethel. It seems that God intended by it, to exhibit to the Patriarch, the nature of Providence, and the constant intercourse which is kept up between heaven and earth, through the ministry of angels. But it appears also to have been intended to typify the Saviour, and to shew the medium which God has appointed, for holding intercourse with our guilty world, and the only way by which sinners can have access to his presence and favour. The ladder was set upon the earth. Jesus in the fulness of the times, came forth to dwell upon the earth. On earth he lived, and taught, and performed his miracles, and died for sin, and rose again for our justification. It behoved Christ to become man, and to tabernacle amongst us. Then this ladder reached to heaven. Here the glory and deity of Christ are presented to our view. While he was man with man, he was also God with God.

While he deigned to dwell on earth, he was still Lord of angels, and the adored of heaven. This is very strikingly set forth by Jesus himself. "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven." (John 3:13.) The ladder filled up the whole distance between earth and heaven. So Jesus is a perfect and glorious way of communication between man and God, between earth and heaven. He is the way to the Father, and no man cometh to God but by him. He is the way to eternal life, and all who receive and trust in him, shall be everlastingly saved. Behold the Lord stood above the ladder, intimating the Divine satisfaction and complacency in the mediator. God is well pleased in his son, both as it respects his person, work, and salvation. And God is ready to save to the uttermost, all who come unto him by Christ. He stands, therefore, at the head of the ladder, to accept, to justify, and to adopt into his family, all who believe in the name of his son. Angels were seen ascending and descending upon it; they especially waited upon the Saviour, they hailed his birth, ministered to him at his temptation and agony, and are all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation.