Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 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. Hebrews 12:1-2
It is ironic that this passage fell to me, because it describes something that I have unfortunately not been doing well at, at all. A month ago, I had prostate surgery, and to say it threw me for a loop is the understatement of the century. My body has not been working properly, and I have been terrified. Non-stop panic attacks for weeks now. My focus has not been on getting better, but on the expectation that I am getting worse. Day by day, it is all I have been thinking about every waking moment. Things don’t look right. Things don’t feel right. Guess where my eyes have been, and it isn’t on Jesus. So while I’m writing to you, I’m really writing to myself.
Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
This isn’t just about having Jesus directly in front of us; it is holding on to him for dear life. In verse 1 above, we are told to throw off everything that entangles. The Apostle Paul tells us this.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
Paul doesn’t tell us to mind our thinking. He says to take every thought captive. Every Thought! Thank goodness they don’t grade in school as they used to. If they did, I’d get an F- on focus.
…. 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. Hebrews 12:2
Jesus is our perfect example of fixing our eyes. He went through endless agony. And that agony was on display for all to see. He was mocked and ridiculed. But he knew where he was going. When he uttered the word tetelestai (Gk – a form of τελέω), “It is finished”, he had fulfilled his purpose. Then and only then did he do this.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. Matthew 27:50
It wasn’t taken from him. He gave it up.
Jesus told us that in this world we will encounter troubles. We will. But then he promises us this.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Fix Those Eyes
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Church Online) – Hillsong Worship
by Bruce Hanson
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