Jesus, The Ladder Connecting Heaven to Earth

Day 12 Advent Devotional - Jesus, The Ladder Connecting Heaven to Earth by Larry Sparks

Day 12 of the “What Child is This?” Advent Devotional

Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafteryou shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man (John 1:51)

This picture of Jesus shows us the availability and accessibility of the supernatural resources of heaven flowing to the Earth. Heaven has long sought a resting place. In Genesis 28, there is a prophetic picture of this reality in the account of Jacob’s ladder. The Old Testament patriarch sees a ladder that reaches from heaven into the Earth, with angels ascending and descending upon it (see Gen. 28:12).

In John 1:51, notice that the ladder goes from heaven onto a Man. Jesus specifies that His disciples would see this supernatural angelic activity take place upon the Son of Man. Two things to consider here. For one, in Genesis 28, there is no clear resting place for this ladder. It simply goes from Earth to Heaven.

Now, we see that there is a resting place on Earth for this ladder, and it is the Man, Christ Jesus. This brings us to the second observation. Consider that He uses the title Son of Man.

Even though this supernatural experience sounds like something reserved for the Son of God, look at the context. Jesus makes this statement after His baptism in the Holy Spirit (see Jn. 1:29-34). It makes me wonder if this living under an open heaven reality is available to those who are also filled with the same Spirit?

The Book of John is full of wonderfully scary statements that many of us pass by. They are too out there for our minds to wrap around. Wild. Supernatural. For example, I am convinced we have not even scratched the surface of what is available in John 14:12, where Jesus introduces us to the potential of “greater works.” Likewise, John 1:51 is one of those passages that, when considered in its rightful context, can absolutely bring our minds to spin.

As the Son of Man, Jesus set an example of what the normal Christian life should look like for you and I. Is it possible, then, that you and I also walk under an open heaven, with the angels of God ascending and descending upon us? Yes. This is available because the Son of God lives inside of us in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture tells us that we are in Christ and Christ is in us. If this is so, and we are in the One who lived under an open heaven, I would suggest that we also have been given the glorious opportunity to live out this same reality.

An open heaven means that there is a consistent flow of supernatural resource, readily available to be released from Heaven into this world through you and I. Picture heaven with an Open for business sign.

Jesus Christ made it possible for the sons of man to live continuously connected to His world. After all, we need raw material from heaven if we are going to build His Kingdom on Earth. If Matthew 6:10 is truly our mandate, on Earth as it is in heaven, then it must have been vital for God to make a way for you and I to access the available resources in His world and release them into ours.

Advent Prayer

Thank You, Father that I walk under an open heaven. This is my inheritance as Your ambassador, called to bring Your world and Your Kingdom to the Earth

Get the entire “What Child is This?” Advent Devotional from Larry Sparks on Amazon Kindle today. Just click the image or link below.

What Child is This? Advent Devotional by Larry Sparks

Buy the “What Child is This?” Advent Devotional on Amazon Kindle Now
Larry Sparks About Larry Sparks

Larry Sparks is host of Life Supernatural, a weekly radio program that features bestselling authors, emerging filmmakers, and key ministry leaders. In addition to serving as the Director of Curriculum Resources for Destiny Image Publishers, Larry is president and founder of Equip Culture Ministries—an organization that equips believers with tools and resources to experience a life of sustained victory through the supernatural power of God. He lives in Florida with his wife and daughter. You can visit his website at www.lawrencesparks.com and follow him on Facebook Larry Sparks or on Twitter @LawrenceVSparks.