Short Thoughts for Today

The passage of scripture for today's short thoughts will be Hebrews 12:2. This verse concludes the sentence began in verse one and includes a most valuable instruction for the believer in Christ; each one who is running "the race that is set before us". In the fist verse the writer spoke of our need to "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us." In this second verse we see the importance of "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 sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus" is the Divine instruction given by God through the Hebrew writer. When you think about it for a moment, you may find yourself asking the question; "Why would we not fix our eyes on Jesus?" As people who desire to heed the biblical call to live by faith, Christians should long to fix their eyes on Him. He is the author of faith. He is the perfecter of faith. And as people who are called to a life of endurance, there has never been another who has endured more than Him.

Oh, the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus! Of course, this is not a mere speculative suggestion but an admonition with great significance. It seems evident that if our eyes are fixed on Him they will not be fixed elsewhere. And I cannot suppose otherwise, that if our eyes are not fixed on Him, they will be fixed on matters of much less importance. He is not difficult to find. Seated in glory, He sits at "the right hand of the throne of God." I suppose that our hearts must be fixed on Him before our eyes will be. Scripture tells us that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." May we earnestly ask the Holy Spirit to make Him our treasure.

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus" speaks of an ongoing, continuous processs. It is not a one time matter. Many, or dare I say all of us who have fixed our eyes on Jesus for a time have found our hearts and minds straying elsewhere. With soberness, alertness and discernment we should acknowledge that there is a spiritual battle for our affections. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life". May we heed the admonition and in our hearts long to fix our eyes on Him!