Eyes Fixed On Jesus

Verse of the day: Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

By now, I am sure that I do not need to point out that as Christians we will not escape difficulties, trials, tribulations, and sufferings. Some of those painful moments in life may come from our own sinful choices, consequences of someone else’s sinful choices, or even God’s discipline and correction. Jesus promised that in this world we would have tribulation (Jn 16:33). However, He also left us with both instructions and an example of how to endure difficult times. In verse one of this chapter, the writer of Hebrews paints a picture for us. Imagine for a moment that we are in an arena and about to do battle with an opponent or even several (sin, the flesh, the world, the devils). Those who were the faithful mentioned in chapter 11 are the witnesses that make up the audience in the arena, looking on, and cheering us on. For any one of us, if we found ourselves in a place, and match, such as this, we would fight to the death to come out victorious. However, in order to win that fight we first have to choose to put aside all that which entangles us, weighs us down, and essentially cripples us in battle. The secret (which really is no secret) is found in verse two where we are told to fix our eyes on Jesus. The first step in being able to overcome sin and its entanglements is to put our eyes on Jesus; first for our salvation (Rm 1:16-18), and thereafter for wisdom, and strength, to live our life by the empowering faith He provides (Heb 10:38). It is Jesus who will carry us from here to eternity. This verse is very clear that He is the One who has the greatest understanding of what our faith entails and what is required to endure in it, since He is its Author, and the Finisher of it, promising to finish that which He has begun in us (Phil 1:6). Having suffered Himself in order to bring about salvation for all who will come to Him, He was made the Captain of faith, bringing many to glory (Heb 2:10). Is there anyone better than our Lord who can teach us how to endure in suffering when He suffered and paid the ultimate price? He is not asking us to do something that He has not already done or asking us to do something that He cannot empower us to do. How was He able to endure something as painful and as shameful as crucifixion? Today, we cannot appreciate what that means. In the time of our Savior it was great dishonor to be crucified. Slaves, robbers, thieves, and common criminals were crucified. To be crucified was to signify that you were cursed (Gal 3:13). Not only was He nailed to the Cross, He was also beaten mercilessly prior to His crucifixion. Even though He despised the shame associated with being crucified, He went to the cross with joy, and humility, knowing what the outcome would be the redemption of man, and the glory of God; Phil 2:5-11). We too can endure by looking ahead at what will be accomplished by our ability to endure during difficult times. The ultimate goal is God’s glory, and Heaven. Just a Jesus had His eyes fixed on the ultimate outcome, we can find joy in suffering by fixing our eyes on the ultimate outcome; an outcome that is victorious and glorifies the One who joyfully endure suffering for our sake and His glory. For us, there is no need to try and reinvent the wheel in our struggle to endure suffering in this world. Jesus, because He has defeated death, the grave, and all our enemies, is now seated at the right hand of the Throne of God. Why? Because it is finished (Jn 19:30; Heb 1:2-4; 8:1; 10:12). Not only is He seated at the right hand of the Throne of God, but He beckons us to come to Him, boldly, in those times when we need mercy and grace (Heb 4:15-16), because He can truly sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tested, yet being without sin. The bottom line is that regardless of what we are called to endure in this lifetime, we are not without One who is available 24/7, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, who can help us stay in the race, and not only endure, but have victory in each battle; for even if we fall, we do not have to stay down, as only then are we truly defeated. However, let us be reminded that Jesus not only promised tribulation, but He also told us that He has overcome the world; making us overcomers with Him (Jn 16:33).

How can anyone really get through life without the strength that can only come from God in times of great suffering? God has chosen us, in Christ, to receive eternal life, and bring us under wing of His protection (Ps 57:1). He extends an invitation to you today. Will you accept it? Anyone who comes to Him in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 6:23; 10:13).