📖 In Genesis 28, Jacob dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth. 🪜
Jesus picks up on this in John 1:51, saying angels will ascend and descend on him, showing how heaven and earth meet in him. ✨🌍
The concept isn’t about us building ladders to reach heaven ⬆️. Instead, heaven invades earth, with Jesus bringing heaven directly to us. ⬇️
As Christians, heaven isn’t just a distant paradise or escape.🌴 It’s God coming to us, through Jesus, who took on human flesh to connect heaven and earth. ✨➡️🌍
This connection doesn’t wait for us to seek it out; it’s delivered to us in real-time through Jesus's actions, teachings, and the promise of forgiveness. ✝️
Heaven, in essence, isn’t just a place “up there” — it’s anywhere God’s presence is, including in baptism and communion. 💧🍞🍷
Going to church, then, becomes less about an escape 🏃‍♂️💨 and more about finding strength and comfort in a world that often hurts.
When we gather at church, heaven meets earth, and forgiveness, grace, and salvation are offered right there. ✨🙏
It's about accessing the “ladder” 🪜 Jesus reveals to be himself. ✝️
Church can sometimes feel ordinary — no glowing lights or dramatic miracles, but every time you enter church, it's a small taste of heaven on earth, where you’re reminded that God’s for you and with you.⛪
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
Contributor Matt Richard is Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus #heaven

🌟 If we go to church because Jesus is there, does that mean He’s not with us in our lives? 🌟

The answer lies in God's promise to be present in a specific and meaningful way in church—through His Word 📖 and Sacraments 🕊️.

✨ God's Omnipresence vs. God's Presence "For You" ✨

This brings up questions about God’s omnipresence. Rather than saying God is everywhere, the two words that bridge this gap are the little words — for you. 🙌

Psalm 139 says, “If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” (Psalm 139:8)

It's not just that God is anywhere. It's that He is wherever you happen to be. 💖

⛪ The Specific Promise in Church ⛪

In church, God promises to be present for you in a very specific way, offering forgiveness 🙏, grace 🌿, and comfort ❤️‍🩹 through His Word 📖, Baptism 🌊, communion 🍷, and absolution ☮️.

Jesus is certainly with you in your daily life, but in church, He is doing something unique: forgiving your sins.

His promise of forgiveness is tied to the baptismal font 🚰, the communion cup 🍞🍷, and the words of absolution you hear in church 🕊️. These are tangible, concrete ways you can know Jesus is for you.

💪 Carrying Church Into the World 💪

Going to church isn't about escaping the world 🌍; it's about receiving what you need to go back into it.

Church is a place to bring your struggles 😔 and receive comfort 💓. It's where Jesus offers you the strength 💪, forgiveness 🙏, and reassurance 🌟 that you can carry with you throughout your week.

As a baptized child of God, wherever you go, He goes with you ✨—but it’s in church where you receive the gifts 🎁 to face whatever lies ahead.

🔄 Not an Escape, but Preparation 🔄

Church isn't a monastery 🏰 or an escape from the world 🌎. It's where you receive the forgiveness ✝️ and consolation you need to tackle the real world.

In church, we get the forgiveness of sins to cover our past week 🗓️ and the promise that God will not forsake us in the week to come ▶️.

It's the foundation 🛠️ that allows us to live out our vocations and serve our neighbors ❤️.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #church

If I'm baptized, why do I need to go to the Lord's Supper? 🤔✝️

We face three constant enemies:

🦠 Our sinful flesh — the “old Adam.”

🌍 The world — with its passions, schemes, and temptations we must endure.

👹 The devil — relentlessly attacking our conscience.

As a result, we constantly need all the gifts that the Lord gives us. 🎁

So, why the Lord's Supper? Simply put, Jesus gave it to us 🙏

The catechism points to two reasons: it’s for you and for the forgiveness of sins.

❓What does baptism do?❓

> 🧼It forgives your sins, washes you clean daily, and gives you a new identity. ✨

> 🌱Baptism kills the old self and brings the new self to life.

> 💖It’s where God’s name is placed upon you.

❓What does the Lord’s Supper do?❓

> 🍞🍷Jesus says, “Receive this. This is my body,” given for your forgiveness.

> 🕊️ Where there’s forgiveness of sins, there’s also life and salvation.

> ✨This forgiveness frees us from guilt, shame, and dishonor.

The Lord’s Supper is the only place we receive Christ’s body and blood. ✝️

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper aren’t exclusive; they work together for you. 🤝

We also receive forgiveness from the preached word, Scripture, and confession and absolution. There’s a reason for so many sources of forgiveness. 📖🙏

So perhaps the real question is: Why would the Lord have us go to His Supper?

He tells us: for the forgiveness of your sins. ❤️

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Marsh Shamburger is Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, CA.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran