1.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, 2.fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3.Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12 NIVUK)
 
It is a common encouragement among Christians that we, “fix our eyes on Jesus”. That is the encouragement of the author of the letter to the Hebrews here: that we are to journey through life fixing our eyes on Jesus. There are many reasons for doing so, some of which I would reflect on here.
 
From the passage, we fix our eyes on Jesus to ensure that we do not become distracted by “everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles”. Much like Peter walking on water, when he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. We live with a purpose: to follow Christ’s ways, glorifying and sharing Him. We can only do this if we firmly fix our eyes on Jesus, making Him the priority; and recognising other things are potential distractions.
 
Another reason for fixing our eyes on Jesus is that it helps us approach the difficulties life throws at us. I have recently been revising some of the sermons of Corrie Ten Boom, and this passage from a sermon entitled, “How to forgive” struck me:
 
And his cross shows us that we can accept suffering as a part of God's plan for this world. When I was in the concentration camp one of the most terrible things I had to go through was that they stripped us of all our clothing and we had to stand naked. The first time was the worst.
 
I said, “Betsy, I cannot bear this”. And suddenly it was as if I saw Jesus at the cross. And the Bible tells, they took his garments, he hanged there naked. And I knew he hanged there for me, for my sins. And by my suffering I understood a fraction of the suffering of Jesus Christ. And it made me so thankful that I could bear my suffering. “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all”. (How to Forgive by Corrie Ten Boom | SermonIndex)
 
Finally, we fix our eyes on Jesus because He is the best thing around which we can shape our lives. I recently shared a passage from Pete Grieg, one of the founders of the 24/7 Prayer movement, in which he speaks of the vision of that movement being Jesus. I do so again, as a way of articulating how it is we are called to shape our lives around Jesus:
 
The point of prayer is not the power that it releases, but the person it reveals.
 
I don’t pray because I’m into prayer: I pray because I’m into Jesus. So, we talk.
 
I don’t believe in the power of prayer: I believe in the power of Jesus. So, I ask for his help, a lot.
 
I’m not into evangelism: I’m into Jesus. So, I talk to people about Him.
 
I’m not into social justice: I’m into Jesus. So, I stand against His enemies.
 
I’m not into Church: I’m into Jesus. So, I like His people (they’re weird, so am I).
 
The vision is Jesus: everything else is secondary.
 
These thoughts only feel like the beginning of our reflections on what it means to fix our eyes on, or make our priority, or have a vision which is, Jesus. I do not know where these thoughts might lead. But I do not this – that to start, we must acknowledge that our focus must be Jesus.
 
 

With every blessing,
Stuart
Email: slove@churchofscotland.org.uk
Tel.: 07916 176 873