After listing a number of faithful Christians in the 11th chapter of Hebrews, the apostle Paul in chapter 12 speaks of then being witnesses, not only to those to whom the chapters were written, but to all the saints, including those now living upon the earth Paul s exhortation to them and to us is to lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us and run with patience the race that is set before us.
In speaking of running a race in Heb 12:1, Paul is referring to the manner in which the athletes in those days cast aside any garments that might hinder them in their race so that they might run as fleet footedly as possible to accomplish the end in view But the interesting thing is that, in exhorting the saints in this manner, the apostle tells them to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2) The important thing according to the apostle, is that they (and we) should look unto Jesus at all times The apostle did not introduce a new theme, It is referred to on numerous occasions in the Scriptures For Instance, we think of the appeal made by God Himself Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth (Isa 45:22).
We also think of the words of Solomon Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Put away from thee a forward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy way s be established Turn not to the right nor to the left remove thy foot from evil (Proverbs 4:23-27) In these verses Solomon, as does the Apostle Paul, exhorts us to be single-minded, to keep our eyes set on one goal, and it would certainly seem that he is here referring to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left, at all times keep your eyes on Jesus” If we do this the things of the world will not attract us, and we will not deviate from our goal These words of wisdom are in deed applicable in days like these when there is so much that could cause us to wander away from the path of righteousness and from the One in whom all the promises of God are yea and amen to the glory of God.
We need to keep our eyes on Jesus not only as an example in ow Christian walk but by so doing e can stimulate our faith and cause it to increase This begets within us a feeling of security, a feeling of hope Is there anything in the world today that offers hope or security Not a solitary thing No man can redeem his brother or give God a ransom for him No matter what we own it cannot buy for us eternal life If we were not brethren and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ, we should live and die and that would be the end, but, God be praised, we are, and because of this we may look forward to this hope of life It gives us life indeed Surely there is something in the words Jesus used in John 10:10 that has reference to this life He says am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly There is something even now of that abundance (hope, peace, faith), but we will never know the fullness of His Joy until we arc accepted by Jesus for everlasting life.
We might often wonder if we would not be less afraid of the things that beset us it we kept our eyes on Jesus at all times It we follow His example as closely as we can we need not be fearful of the things taking place about us or of anything that may happen to us in this present life.
You will remember during the life of our Lord, the interesting incident recorded in the 14th chapter of Matthew where the disciples were fishing and Jesus came to them on the water in the fourth watch of the night He was walking on the sea and when the disciples saw Him they cried out in fear, It is a spirit. Jesus stilled their fear by saying to them, Be of good cheer it is I. And then impetuous, lovable Peter said to Jesus Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water Jesus told him to come Peter stepped out of the ship and walked on the water to go to Jesus, but when he sow the boisterous wind and waves he was afraid, and, beginning to sink cried, Lord save me You will notice that it was when he took his eyes from Jesus and became aware of the tempestuous wind and waves that he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, but rebuked him for his lack of faith. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Might not the words of Jesus be applied to us today? When something untoward happens in our lives, what do we do? Usually we ourselves start thinking our way out of the trouble without consulting God. Yet how often we sing: “Take it to the Lord in prayer.” Isn’t this the answer, that when we are in trouble Jesus will help us, that He will be our Guard and Comforter? His words to Peter can help us overcome our fears: “It is Jesus, be not afraid.” A human hand on our arm to encourage and comfort us has so often helped in time of trouble. How much greater is the comfort derived from the hand of the Lord on our arm to guide us!
We shall find if we place ourselves in the love of Jesus, if we keep Him constantly in our thoughts, that many of the fears that beset us in this life will vanish, and we will (keeping in mind Paul’s words) run straight toward the goal set before us.
The 11th chapter of Hebrews refers to worthy men and women of old who “looked for a city which batch foundations and whose builder and maker is God.” We are looking for the same thing. Jesus, of whom the apostle says, “Look unto the author and finisher of our faith” has made this hope possible. And then he reminds us of the sacrifice of our Lord that we remember every Sunday morning, “who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame.” We shall find that if we place our trust and reliance upon Him in the troubles that beset us, we will be able to say, as Peter said: “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One