Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Looking To Jesus Requires Looking

Jewish Christians struggled to maintain their faith in Jesus Christ. Facing much persecution, many had given up their faith in Christ and returned to the old law. As the writer encourages the saints, he reminds them to look at the stories of faith they were so familiar with and recognize the diligence it took to remain faithful. Satan, like a roaring lion, seeks to destroy faith. What the saints needed to remember was to keep their focus on Jesus Christ, looking to Jesus as the source of their faith. His example sets the model for enduring hardships, facing persecutions, and keeping faithful to the will of God.

Running a race requires focus. When a runner begins the race, his mind is on the course that will lead him to victory at the end. If his mind wanders to other places and he loses his focus, he will have difficulty completing the course. Running the race for Christ demands that the focus always be upon Him. Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, means the soul must look at Jesus. So often, because of the many distractions of life, the focus is lost, and the mind is not focused on Jesus. Faith comes from hearing the word of God, not by sitting in a church building. A healthy prayer life is born from the seeds of time spent talking to God. Serving the Lord means to always having a focus on the glory of God.

Looking to Jesus is where the faith to endure life’s hardships finds its greatest prize. The world can be dark and cruel. Because of the consequences of sin, disease, death, and heartache, faith can be tested. Looking to Jesus is seeing how His love and grace can light the path, smooth the rugged peaks, and give hope in a world of hopelessness. Keeping the story of Jesus always before the mind is where a deeper love for God is harvested. Spending time in the word of God reveals the goodness and severity of God. The scriptures show the struggles of ancient saints who overcame and gained the victory. Allowing the word of God to dwell in the mind is the focus needed to look to Jesus.

An active prayer life lights the fire of hope, enabling us to discern the image of Christ. God never revealed the human image of His Son to the world because the image of Christ comes through the eye of faith. Imaging Christ comes from the word and prayer. Jesus spent long hours in prayer, helping Him see the image of His Father clearly so He could do His will. When the world saw Jesus, they could only see the Father. Looking to Jesus reflects the Father’s glory. When the saints of God fill their lives with Jesus, the world will see the reflection of the Father in them. The world will recognize that the heart of the Christian is always looking to Jesus. Look to Jesus. See the Father. Look.