Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

July 1, 2020

This passage in Hebrews was written to encourage suffering Christians. They are told to identify with and focus on Jesus in difficult times. What does this passage have to say to you about how to persevere during this crisis?  

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

Click here to access the reading from Hebrews 12:1-13

For more help use this Bible Study method

REFLECTION

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

By Katie Borden

  

I’ve done a bit of running over the years, and so I’ve historically identified with the analogy the author of Hebrews is drawing in this text. During one road race, I learned the hard way about how important it is to fix your gaze on your ultimate prize and not let distractions creep in. I was a tired mess and still had one or two miles to go on this run, when the course took us tortuously uphill past one of my favorite brunch establishments. 

My gaze left the course and drifted over to the restaurant, where I imagined how much more satisfying a giant stack of pancakes would be in that moment than pounding my blistered feet, one in front of the other, on the hot pavement. And as I tried to continue running forward while glancing off to the side of the course, my body got confused, and I tripped myself. Not exactly the way I’d wanted to finish that run.

How often do we trip ourselves up looking for a shortcut, or for an easier way out? In this season of massive upheaval in our world, I imagine I am not the only one who has struggled to maintain my gaze on the One who is the only Source of true life—my life often looks more like one that “occasionally glances my eyes in Jesus’ direction”. I’ve tried to shortcut the journey by turning to things—even good things—that might satisfy in the immediate, but in my attempt to use them to do what only relationship with Jesus does in my life, they leave me feeling more tripped up, hungry, and weary than before.

Thanks be to God for the life and person of Jesus, who calms our anxious fears, who offers us everlasting life, and whose presence goes with us on our journey. Lord, fix my gaze on You.

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER      

WEDNESDAY: WISDOM
Pray for wisdom in these times as we all work toward protecting lives and consider the livelihoods of millions hurt by the economic impact.