Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:2-3     

This text has always had special meaning for me since it was my grandmother’s favorite.  It was even used as her funeral text.  She was a great prayer warrior who “fixed her eyes upon Jesus.”  Like Brother Lawrence she “practiced the presence of God.”  These precious words come from the letter to the Hebrews, which was written to first century Jewish believers who were being persecuted. Some were even considering giving up their faith in Jesus.

The unknown writer slowly builds his case for Jesus superiority, which culminates in the great faith chapter. In this chapter, he also points out that some great men and women of faith lived to see the fruit of their faith while many others— also men and women of faith—died prematurely because of persecution.  In chapter 12 he makes the key point of his letter.  How do we walk by faith? We walk by faith by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus!  Not fixed on our problems or difficult environment.  Jesus was the pioneer and perfecter of faith. He endured suffering all the way to the cross.  So we follow His example and we will also patiently endure because of the joy we know is to come.  I believe he saw the “joy set before Him” by looking past or through the cross and there He saw each of our faces. 

                 RESPONSE: Today I will take my eyes off my surroundings, my problems, my fears and my suffering. I 
             will keep them fixed on Jesus my Lord.