“LOOKING TO JESUS!”

Hebrews 12:1-4                          (ESV)

“1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every WEIGHT, AND SIN WHICH CLINGS SO CLOSELY, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 “LOOKING TO JESUS”, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of GOD.

3 Consider HIM who endured from sinners such hostility against HIMSELF, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”

It can be extremely easy to have our eyes FIXED on those around us instead we of “LOOKING TO JESUS” for our example of how to live our our lives.   Usually a minster has earned respect and admiration for his walk with the LORD.   However, a minister is human, fighting the same enemy we fight, and they need our prayers and support, just as our other friends in CHRIST!  Experiencing another human being less than perfect should be common, if not expected, in our fight against evil.   

But when we are committed to “LOOKING TO JESUS”, proper humility and awe should rightfully follow!  It’s not just seeing a Holy MAN when we observe JESUS, but HE is the ONE WHO spoke these worlds into existence and placed our entire solar system in order.  HE created ALL THINGS (Colossians 1:16-17) and then lowered HIMSELF to be born in a manger, live a life of meager means, die a death of unimaginable suffering, but overcame death, hell and the grave ALL because HE LOVED ME AND YOU!  

We can love and respect our ministers and leaders, but NO ONE should be elevated above JESUS CHRIST in our lives, most especially our own selves!  How many times have you heard, “I don’t think it should be done that way”, or “I don’t like that” or similar words?  The word “I” is leading a sentence can be a good thing when it is being used to say “I was wrong”, or “I apologize”.   But when we aren’t “LOOKING TO JESUS” we tend to elevate ourselves to the Throne of our lives and we begin our downfall!  

“LOOKING TO JESUS” helps me realize how unimportant I really am and prohibits self-righteousness.  When I “consider HIM” and what HE went through for me, and has accomplished for me, all while we were sinners (Romans 5:8), it causes me to shudder in shame!  But understanding that HE did if for me OUT OF LOVE makes me realize how BLESSED I am to be “called out of the darkness into HIS marvelous light”!  It’s hard not to be “LOOKING TO JESUS” when we grasp what HE is and has done for us!