The Message (MSG)

Genesis 28 is an amazing story. Jacob is having a dream, and in that dream he sees angels going up and down a stairway. A stairway that reaches from earth up to heaven.

And at the top there's God, saying "the ground you're lying on belongs to you. What's more, I am with you and I will go with you wherever you go."

When Jacob wakes up he is in awe. He says:

“Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”

(Genesis 28:16-17 MSG)

Jacob then poured oil on the stone he was sleeping on and called it Bethel.

There's a lot to be said about this amazing moment. But for now, to me what stands out is this. Jacob was a liar, a thief, not particularly a man of faith up until this point. But in all his brokenness, God shows up, makes him an awesome promise and tells him He is with him, wherever he goes.

Which tells me that there was nothing special about that place. Cause God tells Jacob, I'm with YOU, wherever YOU go. Meaning, that's where God's house is.

Fast forward to John 1:51 Jesus makes it clear that HE is the access to heaven using Jacob's ladder as illustration.

And the Spirit of God chooses to dwell, to live in US. WE are the house of God.

Now if God chooses to live in you, with all your mistakes, your scars and shortcomings, in your mess. Do you extend that same loving grace to others in your life?

Or do you screen at the door? Are you the gatekeeper?

In other words: who is welcome in your house?

© Written by Xander Stok, Project of Love