Finding Heaven’s Gate: From Bethel’s Stone to Jesus, the Cornerstone
In Genesis 28, Jacob, fleeing his brother, stops for the night and rests his head on a stone, only to encounter God in a vivid, life-changing dream. He sees a ladder stretching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending, and God standing above it. God reaffirms His promises to Jacob, declaring that his descendants will be numerous and that all peoples on earth will be blessed through him. When Jacob awakens, he declares, “Surely the Lord is in this place,” and calls it Bethel, or “house of God.” Jacob then anoints the stone, marking it as a sacred reminder of this encounter, saying, “This stone… will be God’s house” (Genesis 28:22).
But the story doesn’t end there. Jacob’s stone at Bethel not only serves as a reminder of God’s presence—it points us forward to something much greater: Jesus, the ultimate “house of God” and the cornerstone of our faith.
Bethel’s Stone and the Cornerstone of Our Faith
In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the “cornerstone” of God’s redemptive work. Just as Jacob’s stone at Bethel marked a significant encounter with God, Jesus as the cornerstone signifies the foundation upon which God builds His people:
Jesus, the Cornerstone: Peter calls Jesus “the stone the builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone” (1 Peter 2:7). In ancient construction, the cornerstone was the most crucial stone, setting the structure and alignment of the entire building. Similarly, Jesus is the foundation upon which our faith rests; He is the one who aligns us with God, holds us together, and creates a “spiritual house” where God’s presence can dwell.
A Living Temple: Ephesians 2:20-22 further explains that in Christ, we are “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” We, like Jacob, encounter God’s presence through Jesus, and through Him, we are transformed into a dwelling place for the Spirit. Christ is not only the foundation; He is the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity.
From Bethel to Jesus: God’s Presence and Promise
Jacob’s stone at Bethel was more than a simple pillow; it symbolized God’s presence and His promise to dwell with His people. Just as Bethel was a sacred place where Jacob encountered God, Jesus fulfills and completes this purpose by becoming the true “house of God”—a living temple that would forever unite heaven and earth.
In John 1:51, Jesus references Jacob’s vision, saying to Nathanael, “You will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Here, Jesus reveals that He is the true “gate of heaven” and the ultimate connection between God and humanity. Just as Jacob’s stone marked a place of encounter, Jesus, our cornerstone, marks the way for us to access the Father, to experience His presence, and to be part of His eternal family.
Our Transformation: Built on the Cornerstone
Jacob’s encounter with God left him forever changed, just as an encounter with Jesus transforms us. When we place our faith in Christ, we are built upon Him, our cornerstone, and become “living stones” in God’s spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). Through salvation and the Holy Spirit, we’re invited into an extraordinary journey of transformation:
Salvation and New Life: In Christ, we are given a new identity. Like Jacob, who was changed at Bethel, we are transformed through our encounter with Jesus. Salvation brings us from death to life, giving us a firm foundation on which to build our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Just as God’s presence dwelled at Bethel and in the Temple, the Holy Spirit now dwells within us. We become a living temple, a house of God, carrying His presence into every aspect of our lives (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Growing in Christlikeness: As we grow in faith, we are shaped and refined, becoming more aligned with Christ, our cornerstone. Through the Spirit’s work, our lives are transformed to reflect Jesus’ character—marked by love, joy, peace, patience, and all the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
A Light to the World: Just as Jacob’s anointed stone marked Bethel as a holy place, our lives, built on Jesus, the cornerstone, become sacred spaces where God’s presence is evident to others. We are called to shine His light, sharing His love and pointing others to the hope we have found.
The Divine Story: From Bethel’s Stone to Jesus, and From Jesus to Us
Jacob’s stone at Bethel, the cornerstone of our faith in Jesus, and our transformation as living stones are all connected in God’s beautiful story of presence and redemption. Each step shows God’s relentless desire to dwell with His people—from Jacob’s journey to the Temple in Jerusalem, to Jesus, and now, through the Spirit, within us.
Through Jesus, the “gate of heaven” has been thrown open, inviting each of us into a life built on a foundation that cannot be shaken. As we walk with Him, we become sacred spaces, living stones built on the cornerstone, designed to carry His presence and share His love with the world.
So when we feel ordinary or wonder if God is truly with us, let’s remember: we are built on the cornerstone, the foundation of God’s eternal house. In Jesus, we have become a “Bethel” ourselves—a place where God’s presence dwells, where heaven and earth meet, and where others can encounter the love and grace of the One who changes everything.
