Hebrews 12:1-2 1Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.
The second verse of this selection calls us to recognize and accept the fact that Jesus died for us and paid for our sins in full on the cross at Calvary. In this entry, I want to break down verse two and look at what it is calling for us to do in our lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith"
The first part of this verse tells us that we should keep our eyes focused on Jesus, who is the perfecter of our faith. Keeping our eyes on Jesus is easy, right??? We go to church on Wednesday nights, and Sunday mornings and nights, so it can't be that hard can it?? Well, if you are a Christian, you know that it is a struggle every single day. Yes, the struggle is real...it's very real. The devil is continually looking for that crack in our armor so he can sneak in and pull us away from Christ. If you think that after becoming a follower of Christ that things get easier and everything will always work out, I am here to tell you, you are wrong. Very wrong. Yes, Jesus loves us and has a plan for each of us, but He gives us choices to make and we have to choose between what He wants for us or what we want for us. Sometimes that is hard but the right decision is usually right there in front of us. Prayer and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus will lead us to do what is right and what we need to do. Remember, Jesus is the perfecter of our faith, and He will always lead us in the right direction as long as we call on His name and look for His guidance. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Jesus tells us to pray without ceasing. This verse is a prime example among many others that help us to keep our eyes on Jesus. If we pray daily about everything, we cannot lose sight of what God has in store for our lives. Daily prayer and meditation leads to the "perfection of faith" that is talked about in Hebrews 12:2.
"endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne"
For me, this is the most heartbreaking part of this entire verse. Endured a cross and despised the shame...
Jesus suffered a brutal beating, ridicule, shame, and was crucified to save us. Let me say that again...Jesus suffered a brutal beating, ridicule, shame, and was crucified to save YOU and ME. I have seen the movies, The Passion of The Christ, and recently, Son of God, and I am not ashamed to tell you, I shed tears watching my Lord and Savior suffer such a brutal death. I could not imagine the immense pain and suffering that He went through just to save the world from sin. And He knew His fate long before it ever even occurred, because that was His purpose. That is a love that is so amazing that we will never know the true meaning of because only Jesus could do such a thing. For that very reason, I will follow Him and do His will. How could you not? Where is Jesus now you say? He is sitting at the right hand of God the Father in all His glory, preparing a place for you and me in heaven, and all we have to do is accept Him in our lives to secure the mansion he is preparing for us there. In John 20:29, Jesus says blessed are those that have not seen, and yet have believed. Many people say seeing is believing, but trust me, I haven't seen Jesus, but I believe with everything that I am that He is truly alive and working in my life. What about you? Take that leap of faith and trust Him. You will see a change and He will make himself known to you.
Suggested Scripture: 1 Thessolonians 5:17
John 20:29
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