Jacob set his head on a "stone-pillow", and dosed off. "He dreamt of a stairway that rested on the ground, with its'top reaching to the heavens; and the angels of God were ascending up and descending down, on it." (Genesis 28: 12) And there above the top rung was the Lord, saying; "I AM the Lord, the God of Abraham, your father, and the God of Isaac. In you (and your descendants), the families of the earth will nd blessing. I AM with you; I will protect you wherever you go. I will never leave you until I have done all that I promised." (Genesis 28: 14-15)
Now, fast forward to Jesus' arrival on the scene. "Philip (who was from Bethsaida, the same town as the first disciples Andrew and Peter) found Nathaniel, and told him, directly, 'We have found the one about whom Moses wrote, and whom the prophets spoke of, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth." (John 1: 45) Human nature is all too quick to rule out what God gives freely. Nathaniel assumed that "nothing of value" could come from the sleepy little village of Nazareth. "How can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1: 46) Nevertheless, Philip insisted that he come and see. Eyes of faith witness "Jacob's ladder".., personified. "You will see greater things than this. Amen, amen, I say to you; you'll see the sky opened-up, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (John 1: 51)
