More on "Nearer..."

I think I have it figured out.

I have been working with two weeks’ texts in order to get ready to preach at Calumet, and to preach when I get home after a week there. So, the two have become garbled a bit. And here’s what probably happened: I looked at the lessons for 7/20 while organizing things for 7/27. One of the appointed lessons for this past Sunday was the story of Jacob’s dream—Jacob’s Ladder. (This was an alternate reading, so it’s even more ridiculous that I focused in on it.)

Having the notion that this was one of the readings, I must have seen Nearer My God to Thee mentioned in reference to the Ladder text (it;s loosely based on it says Wikipedia.

Probably I then recalled one of the first textbooks I used in my seminary career—Where God Meets Man, by Jensen, I believe. His main premise was that most of us have a Jacob’s Ladder paradigm when we think about salvation—we think we need to ascend the ladder to get to God. While what really is going on is God is coming down to us! Grace! Nearer my God to thee!

Now how does that fit into these parables of Jesus? I have an idea, but I’m going to let it cook in my head for a while before I serve it up. And I’d love to add your thoughts to the mix. Email or comment will be great.