I’ve always loved the story of Jacob’s ladder. Genesis 28:12-13 says this: “And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and 
descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it…” I love the Hebrew word for “ladder.” It might be translated as “road,” or “way” or even “access.” It is sometimes used to refer to a “breach” as a door or opening in a wall. I like that. It’s a vision of the world beyond. It reminds me of “stargate.” Jacob’s ladder is the passage way from this world into the next, from the physical realm into the spiritual. Through that doorway God could be seen at its head, with the angels coming and going from their home to ours. They were the messengers of God. In both Hebrew and Greek, the word “Angel” literally is “Messenger.”
In John 1:51, Jesus quotes from Genesis 28:12-13. Nathaniel was surprised that Jesus could see him when he was sitting under a tree. But Jesus proceeded to tell him something much greater than that. He told Nathaniel about the great things that lie ahead for him. He said to Nathaniel, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” His point is clear. Just as Jacob’s vision was of an access to God’s abode in heaven, he told Nathaniel that he would have a vision also. The vision was of the angels ascending and descending from the spiritual realm to the physical through another doorway, that doorway was Jesus himself. It helps me understand what Jesus meant when said “I am the door,” “I am the way,” No man came come to the father but through me.” He is the access, the breach from the physical into the spiritual, the road, the way, the eternal life.”
Jesus is the “stargate.” Not only is Jesus the doorway to our eternal home he’s the doorway to true life in this world. I think that’s what he meant when he said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). He’s the living water that quenches our thirsts in this life. He’s the bread of life which satisfies our hungers. He’s really the way to life; both here and now and forever more!