HEBREWS 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Today’s scripture identifies for us the most important spiritual discipline we develop in our lives.  Without, we will be deceived of our true spiritual condition.  This discipline is not hard to identify.  Hard to develop, but easy to see.  It is laying aside all sin and hindrances which keep us from looking at Jesus.

To be looking at Jesus is to keep the eye of faith on Him.  The importance of this cannot be overstated.  If we allow circumstances, situations, and people to get us to look away from Jesus the spiritual consequences are severe.  We will become more like Pharisees than Christians.  Critical attitudes toward others, a life ruled by selfishness and pride along with the self-deception of our true spiritual condition.  Why? Because looking at Jesus, and to keep looking at Jesus is the only way to develop the virtue that kills critical attitudes, selfishness, pride and self-deception. That virtue is humility.  And the power of distraction to not keep our eyes on Jesus is strong.  It happened to Peter right after the Lord had breakfast with Him and restored the disciple back into His service.  This account occurs in the last chapter of John’s gospel.

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:20-23).

What is amazing about this dialogue with Peter and Jesus is how fast the Apostle forgot what the Lord did for Him, and how quickly he started to compare himself with another disciple.  That is the way pride and self-righteousness work.  It looks at other people. It loses sight of our true condition before the Lord and without the Lord; prideful, self-willed “I am better than (fill in a name) is”.   We can know quickly how we have stopped looking at Jesus; we have a good and high view of ourselves, forgetting we are the chief of sinners deserving nothing from our Lord by wrath and condemnation.

So, keep our eyes where they are supposed to be – fixed on Jesus, and while we acknowledge this is calling, let’s make sure we ask and keep asking for the Lord’s help.  Without it, we will be looking around instead of looking at Him.

PRAYER: “Father, help me not take my eyes off Jesus for when I do, I get in all kinds of spiritual trouble.”

QUOTE: “Ask God to help us keep our eyes focused on Jesus because without His care we will not.”