Hebrews 12:1, 2 - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NLT) Therefore, since we
are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses
to the life of faith, let us strip off every
weight that slows us down, especially the sin that
so easily trips us up. And let us run with
endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this
by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy
awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its
shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor
beside Gods throne.
INTRODUCTION
The Christian life involves hard work. It
requires us to give up whatever endangers our
relationship with God, to run patiently, and to struggle
against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To
live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus.
We will stumble if we look away from him to
stare at ourselves or at the circumstances
surrounding us. We should be running for Christ, not
ourselves, and we must always keep him in sight. [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARLS
My son, Will, recently graduated from
high school. It was a glorious day. Pomp and
Circumstance played through the loudspeakers. The
graduates filed past us, two by two. Our family
cheered for Will as he walked by. But he didnt
acknowledge us. He stared straight ahead, his eyes fixed
on the stage.
Wills senior year has been full of ups
and downs. Senior retreat. Sickness. Makeup
work. Finals. Senior trip. It had all led to this
moment. The journey to graduation wasnt what he
expected, but Will had done what he set out to do. We
cheered when he received his diploma. I cried a
little.
Like Wills last year of high school,
my journey on this earth has been unexpected,
full of ups and downs, but Jesus shows me how to
make the best of it and get through. Just as Will
had his eyes fixed on graduation, I fix my eyes
on Jesus as I persevere. As I shake off
hindrances, He teaches me how to overcome trials and sin
that test me. Jesus is cheering me on as I pass
each milestone. I look forward to the day I will
graduate into His loving arms. Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Faith Step: Meditate on Hebrews 12:1"2.
Ponder the great grace and hope that Jesus offers
you as you journey toward your heavenly
commencement. [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional by
Guideposts and Zondervan]
Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom
our faith depends from beginning to end
Hebrews 12:2 (GNT)
The small hallway at the school where I
taught was congested during the five-minute
transition between class periods, so I waited for it to
empty before heading to the office. I opened the
door and sighed. The hallway was now clear of
students but littered with trash. I gathered what I
could and was about to throw it away, when a small
scrap of paper caught my attention. It was a note,
printed neatly on floral stationery, that read,
"Fixing your eyes on Jesus will help you stop trying
to fix everything yourself. Love, Mom."
I smiled and wondered which of my
students had dropped that sweet message of
encouragement. What challenging circumstances was the
teenager facing, and why was he or she trying to fix
them all alone? Who was the loving mother behind
the beautiful penmanship, and how did she know
that her child needed this reminder? I slipped
the note into my pocket and hoped to find the
owner.
As the day wore on, however, I found
myself rereading the words every time I saw the
open note on my desk. What challenging
circumstances was I facing, I wondered, and why was I
trying to fix them all on my own? More importantly,
how did Jesus know that I needed this reminder
too? By the end of the day, my eyes were no
longer fixed on the note or on my problems. They
were fixed on Jesus. Emily E. Ryan
Faith Step: Think about a problem you are
trying to fix yourself and fill in the blank as a
prayerful reminder; Fixing my eyes on Jesus will help
me stop trying to fix _______ myself. [Mornings
With Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Hebrews 12:1, 2 - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230326-1035.html
Hebrews 12:1-3 - THE RACE OF FAITH - RUNNING
WITH JESUS.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200507-1202.html
Hebrews 12:3 - So keep your mind on Jesus
Then you won't get discouraged and give up.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210111-1048.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
