Notes from a Sojourn
July 19, 2020
A Sermon for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
(Psalm 139: 1-11, 22-23; Genesis 28:10-19a; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
Jacob is on the move. We catch up with him at this moment in the story, as he is travelling. Along his way, Jacob stops for the night at a place known as Luz. Taking a stone for a pillow, he sleeps and experiences a famous dream.
Jacob's ladder was first made known to me by way of that classic children's toy. A Jacob's ladder toy is made up of several small wooden panels, connected to each other by alternating cloth ribbons. It is played with by holding an end panel so that the rest of the blocks hang down as a dangling chain. By tipping the top panel back and forth, the alternating tension of the ribbons causes the panels to change orientation in back-and-forth motion that makes its way down the panels. The visual effect caused by the action might resemble a figure is climbing down a ladder. It is an old name for an old toy.
Jacob's ladder dream is one of movement. Jacob is on the move and during his brief rest, he dreams of movement: angels ascending and descending between heaven and earth.
We can only imagine what Jacob would have thought, as he watched the coming and going. Imagine seeing the entrance way to the very place of God!
But then comes the twist! The Lord, God's own self, stands beside Jacob and offers a new insight. Among the many words of blessing, God confirms that wherever Jacob goes, the Lord is with him.
Ladders are great for accessing hard to reach places. They get used all the time without much thought. When we set up a ladder, we do so because what we need to reach is up high, out of reach.
Maybe that is what Jacob thought, as he drifted off to sleep. But, as it turns out, the ladder was entirely unnecessary, an illusion! God is present with Jacob, even though Jacob did not know it.
In the early days of this new identity, Abraham and Sarah's family struggled with the new idea that the Lord is not confined to territorial boundaries. Their descendants continue to discover the ever-present reality of God.
When Jacob wakes, he gives the place a new name. In doing so, he gives voice to his new understanding that even in his travels, he remains in the presence of God.
The Jacob's ladder toy is fun to play with because it seems so simple. It looks like wooden blocks are cascading down the chain. But when you hold it in your hand, it is exceedingly obvious how silly it would be to think that you or I could climb up or down the chain of blocks. And really, there is no need. Even the child who holds a Jacob's ladder is far to big to have any practical use for it as a mode of transportation. The one who holds the ladder is already here. Amen.
Patrick+
