Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Hebrew 12:1-3

Therefore, 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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The book of Hebrews points Christians to the work of Christ. Throughout the book, the writer encourages believers to consider and look at others who have preceded them in the faith. Hebrews 11 speaks of (to name a few) Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samson, and David. Each of these men were heroes in the faith, but not the hero of the faith. One of the things we go over again and again in my elementary bible classes is that God is the hero of the bible. David isn’t the hero in the Goliath story. Moses isn’t the hero in the exodus. God is the deliverer and hero in every story.

The list of people in chapter 11 includes some glaring faults. David committed adultery and then murdered to cover his sin. Abraham told two world leaders that Sarah was his sister so he would be safe. Moses was a murderer with a temper. Samson made the rest of these guys look like Mr. Rogers. Chapter 12 begins by telling believers to look at the great cloud of witnesses that surround them, but fix their eyes on Jesus.

The list of bible characters with serious flaws is not limited to the Old Testament. Peter denied Christ and refused to eat with Gentiles out of fear (Gal. 2). Paul murdered Christians. The gospels are full of the disciples failings.

After the bible was complete and “church history” began Christians were given more heroes with plenty of baggage. The early church fathers, Luther, Calvin, and men like them accomplished great things for the church, but all had serious flaws. Calvin was guilty of having a man killed. Hitler used some of Luther’s ideas in the holocaust.

The history of God’s people is full of awful deeds. It is vital to remember that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who were sinners like ourselves. There is only one who never failed. There is only one on whom our eyes should be fixed.

Only One by Caedmon's Call

Left his seamless robe behind
Woke up in a stable crying
Lived and died and rose again
Savior for a guilty land

It's a story like a children's tune
And it's grown familiar as the moon
So now I ride my camel high
And I'm aiming for the needle's eye

I chased the wind, but I chased in vain
I chased the earth, but it would not sustain

There's only one who never fails
To beckon the morning light
There's only one who sets loose the gale
And ties the trees down tight
When all around my soul gives way
He is all my hope and stay
There's only one, only one Holy One

Lord, You are my Prince of Peace
But this war brings me to my knees
See there's a table You've prepared
And all my enemies are there
But where my Shepherd leads
Where else can I go?
Who else fills my cup till it overflows?

There's only one who never fails
To beckon the morning light
There's only one who sets loose the gales
And ties the trees down tight
To the Solid Rock I fly
Though He bids come and die
There's only one, only one Holy One