“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:1-2
As I sit and read the above verses I quickly realize that to “lay aside encumbrances”, “to be untangled from sin”, to “run with endurance” I must fix my eyes on Jesus. I must fix my eyes on the author and perfecter of my faith.
Who is Jesus? How well do you know Him? For the purposes of understanding these verses I want us to look at what the author of Hebrews has to say about Him. Let’s go to chapter 1 and 2!
These two chapters are filled with the truth of who we are to fix our eyes on. Did you get a chance to read it? Did you make a list? Did anything really jump out at you? Did you see anything new?
Here is what we see in these two chapters about Jesus.
Hebrews 1:2-5 Jesus is the appointed heir over all things. Through Him all things were created. He is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of God’s nature. HE upholds all things by His power. Through Him we are purified. He sits at the right hand of God.
1:6-12 Angels worship Him. His throne is forever. He loves righteousness, and hates lawlessness. All creation will wear out, be changed but HE will remain the same.
Hebrews 2:8-13 He was made a little lower than angels. He suffered death, our death. He is crowned with glory and honor. Through Him all things are brought to glory. Through His sufferings many sons will be brought to glory. HE will perfect our salvation through suffering. He sanctifies. He calls us brethren. He proclaims God’s name to us and puts His trust in God.
2:14-18 He became flesh and blood in order to render the devil powerless through His death. HE frees those who fear death and are in slavery. He helps descendants of Abraham. He was made like us in all things, yet remain God. He is a merciful and faithful high priest. He makes propitiations for our sin. He was tempted. HE suffered so that HE could come to our aid.
This is the ONE we are to fix our eyes on. This is the Jesus that the Hebrew author wants us to know. In fact in 2:1 he encourages us to “pay attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away from it”.
We are to know Jesus. We are to KNOW Him, not just know about Him. Do you know who He is? Do you know His character?
Do you know Him because you have experienced Him living in and through your life? Or do you know Him just because you have read or heard about Him?
My challenge to you and myself is to get to know Jesus. Know His character because you have fixed your eyes upon Him. Be single focused with eyes fixed on the One who perfects our salvation.
Lets fix our eyes on Jesus so that we might KNOW Him.
Over the next couple of “Living Purposefully” post I think we should look a little longer at who Jesus is. If you haven’t already begun making a list of who He is I would encourage you to write down what we already have seen and then be ready to add to it. I promise that it is worth taking the time to have a list that you can refer back to that will help remind you who Jesus is. You will know Him not just because of a list that has been written, but because you have studied and seen truth for yourself.
Read Chapters 3-5 and list all you learn about Jesus. Then join me again next week.
This is a beautiful devotional... We all must purpose to live a life of Godly integrity! God Bless!
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