In last week’s newsletter we began talking about our need for Jesus, so let’s continue our discussion:
God uses all means necessary to illustrate the truth that we need Him in order to be freed from guilt. After Jacob sinned by deceiving Isaac and taking Esau’s blessing, he ran away, overcome with a sense of guilt. Being separated from everything that he knew and everyone who he loved, one doubt overshadowed the rest: That his sin had cut him off from God. In despair, he lay down on the ground alone and fell asleep. He then dreamed of a grand stairway that seemed to lead from where he lay all the way to the gates of heaven, and going up and down this stairway were countless angels. From the top of the stairway, Jacob heard God, who spoke words of comfort to his soul. Jacob then became aware of what he longed for: a savior—the Savior. With happiness and thanks, he became aware of a way that sinners could be returned to a relationship with God. The mystical ladder-stairway that Jacob saw in his dream represents Jesus, the only method of communication between God and fallen-humanity.
This is the same illustration that Jesus referred to while talking to Nathaniel, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” (John 1:51). Man’s rejection and disobedience separated us from God and earth became cut-off from heaven. Across the void that separates heaven and earth there could be no communication. In other words, we have no way to bridge the expanse, except that Jesus came from Heaven and restored the connection. With Jesus, humanity and divinity merged and Jesus, taking our disobedience and sin upon himself, was able to remove the barrier that sin had made and restore our ability to communicate with God—the Source of life. Christ is able to connect fallen man, in his failing and vulnerability, to the Source of infinite power and healing.
While Jesus is the only way to truly restore humanity, we as humans still dream of progress of our own free will and repeatedly, we shun the One Source of hope and help for our fallen race. “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” (James 1:17). We cannot attain perfection without Jesus. Jesus tells us plainly: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
God’s heart longs to redeem us with a love that is stronger than death. He gave up His Son in a grand, heavenly gift to save us from our sinful natures. Jesus’ life, death, and continued work on our behalf, in addition to the angels’ work in our lives, in addition to the insistent promptings of the Holy Spirit on our hearts, and in addition to the Father orchestrating time itself, we are able to see heaven’s love and desire to redeem humanity.
If we were even able to grasp just the tiniest bit of the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, our motives would be transformed, and our lives would be restored to the perfect will of God. All of heaven is working in unison to save us from sin. God promises us limitless gifts and joy in a perfect world—something that we cannot even begin to imagine or understand. All the rewards that we have been promised for living according to God’s standards—rewards both while we are here on earth, and throughout eternity—should be enough encouragement to choose life with God.
However, on the other hand, God has pronounced judgment against sin. Sin has destroyed our character, distorted our love, and separated us from God, and He has promised to destroy sin in all its forms in one final event. These warnings are presented in His Word to help us see the dangers of following after Satan—dangers both in the actions of sin, and dangers in the judgment reserved for sin.
What could be a fairer plan for God to provide? He sent Jesus to restore the connection between heaven and earth. He is willing to transform all who call upon Him to help them escape from sin. The Father spared no expense to see us able to choose a life with Him. What more could He do for us?
Let us decide today to place ourselves at His mercy, and in obedience to His commandments, so that He can transform us into His image, and restore our relationship with Him.
Next week, we will begin talking about what to do next, once we realize our need. See you soon!
~Cam
P.S. As always, if I missed something, or if you would like to respond on this topic, join the conversation below!