Hebrews 12:1-2Therefore, 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, 2 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. New International Version (NIV)
Today's verses are some of my favorites in the book of Hebrews and in the Bible. It begins with "therefore" which points back to chapter 11 and the great "Hall of Faith". The people described in that chapter are among the 'witnesses" spoken of here.
Yesterday we considered from Hebrews 4 how we are called and challenged to "boldly approach the throne of grace" to find help in time of need. The list of God followers outlined in Hebrews 11 were those who did just that, they approached God, opened their hearts to Him at all times, in all circumstances in life. They looked to God as we are to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Reading the verses today and as I read the words "fixing our eyes" the song "Fix My Eyes" by King and Country came to mind. The chorus gives a description of the mind set of those heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11 and today and serve as a challenge for us.
Love like I'm not scared
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on You
On You
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on You
On You
The heading for the passage in The Message is "Discipline in a Long Distance Race". The Christian life of faith requires that we fix our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith for the strength and wisdom to "find faith in the battle and to stand tall above it all as we live, take time for, fight for, and speak out for one another.
Where will we fix our gaze today?
Hebrews 12:1-3The Message (MSG)
Discipline in a Long-Distance Race
12 1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. Thatwill shoot adrenaline into your souls!
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