Just A Thought

Buried treasure and unexpected wealth have been the subject of many a daydream and fictional story. Most of us imagine such fortune, but don’t truly expect it to come our way. It can happen. I recently had the privilege of meeting a real person, who lives just a few miles from us, who stumbled on a real treasure a few years ago. My heart was warmed as this successful business-woman described her life-changing experience.

She began by telling me that her personal journey began in a good home and included a close relationship with God at a young age. She attended a very formal church and later married and joined another church that placed great emphasis on religious services, but little emphasis on Bible reading and personal prayer. She lived what others perceived to be a happy and successful life.

Then came the storms. Personal situations taxed her heart and emotions. People let her down. Although she had been faithful to God and her church, she felt like she was lacking the power and strength to face her situation. While alone one evening she began pouring out her heart to God; for hours she opened her soul and cried out to God for help. That is when she stumbled on the treasure. While praying she suddenly heard herself speaking in a language she did not understand. At first she thought she was dreaming. She had never seen this happen before and immediately she began to question the experience. In days to come this experience reoccurred, peaking her curiosity.

Taken back and wanting to be cautious about getting into something “weird”, she began seeking answers in the Bible. Her research revealed that “speaking in tongues” was a very valid and Biblical experience. She discovered that she had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit! The Book of Acts records that this experience took place in the lives of thousands of first century Christians, including the twelve disciples and Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Saint Peter explained the experience to inquisitive observers, he quoted an Old Testament prophet and reassured everyone that the experience was for them, their children, and everyone that God would call to Him. (Acts 2:16-17,38-39)

So, there you have it: This New England native, who attended a church that didn’t even mention this Biblical phenomenon, asked for the strength or power to face her troubles and God gave her an experience she didn’t understand. She has since continued to enjoy a deeper and more powerful relationship with God. She has come to realize that she stumbled on a treasure. When Saint Paul talked about someone having the Holy Spirit in them he described it as a “treasure in earthen vessels.” (II Corinthians 4:7) In another letter Saint Paul wrote: “A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally… I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.” (I Corinthians 14:4,18 NLT) This woman had stumbled on the greatest treasure a person can find – God’s power within them.

Throughout history many Christians like the Waldenses, participants in the Great Awakenings (including many in New England), and the Shakers rediscovered this power that was made available to all believers just a few days after Jesus ascended into heaven. Today there are millions of Christians from almost every denomination who have experienced the joy of this great treasure. Maybe this is the kind of treasure for which your soul is longing.

In 1971 Led Zeppelin IV released a song written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. The song became one of the most well-known and popular rock songs ever, in spite of the fact that it was never released as a single. It is still thought to be the biggest-selling single piece of sheet music in the world. To this day, it continues to top radio lists of the greatest rock songs, including Rolling Stones, 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is Stairway To Heaven.

Many readers may be familiar with the song Stairway to Heaven, but few may be aware that the Bible spoke of The Stairway to Heaven thousands of years ago -- the real Stairway to Heaven. The Stairway mentioned in Scripture is far more beautiful and powerful than the stairway Led sang about. Millions of people, worldwide, have sung about the Stairway to which I refer. Perhaps it’s time you joined the chorus.

Jesus, Himself, told us He was the “Stairway to Heaven.” When choosing His disciples He invited Nathaniel to join His team, and told him that he (supernaturally) saw him under a fig tree. When Nathaniel expressed his awe at Jesus’ supernatural power, Jesus said:

“Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” (John 1:50-51 NLT)

Just as Jacob’s ladder (a type of Christ - Genesis 28) provided a way for angels to go between heaven and earth, the life of Jesus bridged the gap between heaven and earth. He came here so we could go there! He broke a barrier so we could pass from death to life John 5:24). By His incarnation (becoming a man), He became “The Stairway to Heaven.”

Below is a short list of scriptural references that teach this concept:

· He was the one-and-only God-man; He was virgin-born (Matthew 1:23).

· In Scripture Jesus is referred to many times as the Son of God and many other times as the Son of Man.

· God took on the form of man (Philippians 2:7), manifested Himself in flesh (I Timothy 3:16), and became the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

· He is called “The Way, the Truth and the Life,” (John 14:6) and He referred to Himself as the only door to eternal life (John 10:9).

· First century Christians were saved by calling on the name of the Lord (i.e. being baptized, calling on the name of Jesus – Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16).

· He promised to live in us (John 14:17-18) and Scripture declares that His Spirit in us will make it possible for us to be caught up to heaven when Christ returns (Romans 8:11).

Most people will admit their desire to go to heaven. Heaven is not earned; it is an awesome gift. God went out of His way to make it available to everyone. You have been invited to take that Stairway to Heaven. If you don’t know how there’s a great, self-guided online Bible study and a short video presentation available at www.ActsII.org. Jesus Christ is the only one Stairway to Heaven, but He is accessible to anyone humble enough to do life God’s way. Go ahead, take the first step!