Looking Unto Jesus

Scripture Text

Hebrews 12:2

Intro: If we are to live the Christian life effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We will stumble if we look away from him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us. We should be looking to Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep him in sight. Let's appreciate what Jesus has done for us.

A. Jesus is our supreme example: (v.2)

The supreme example of the Christian race of faith is the Lord Jesus Christ.

  1. He is the author and finisher of our faith. (v.2a)

Believers who have trusted God and endured in their faith are great examples for us. But as great as these examples are, there is one supreme example of faith, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ. We may and should look at the example of other believers, but we must always be looking to Jesus. The word "looking" means to fix your eyes upon Jesus. It also means to fix your mind upon Him. We are to focus our eyes and mind upon Jesus Christ. Why?

1. Because Jesus Christ is the Author of our faith and He finished the race of faith.

Þ The Author means that He began, originated, created, the Christian race of faith.

Þ The Finisher means that He perfected, completed, and consummated the race. He ran the race to the finish successfully. He is our perfect example of how to run the race of faith. Jesus ran the course of life perfectly, so we look to Him as our example.

He was sinless, perfectly righteous, always obeying God in everything. He was utterly obedient and trusted in God all through His life upon earth. He finished His course living a perfect and righteous life upon earth. Therefore, He authored and completed the Christian race for all believers. He is the blazing example of faith in God—of utter dependence, obedience and righteousness—for us who believe.

B. His inspiration: (v.2b)

 Jesus Christ had a great inspiration and divine guidance.

It was the joy that was set before Him.

What was that joy? What caused His emotion of great delight.

1. The joy of redemption, the glorious day when He would be united and exalted with all believers of all ages. We are the reason He left the glories of Heaven!

2. The joy of all the glory for which He had died and God had purposed in His death, which was The joy of when the heavens and earth would be recreated and all the redeemed would be worshiping and serving God perfectly and in unison forever.

3. The joy when the salvation of all believers of all generations would be completely and perfectly fulfilled, and He and all those of us who love Him would be ruling and reigning with Him forever and ever.

4. There was the joy of the fulfillment of God's very purpose for the world being carried out. That is what stirred and motivated Christ to come to earth to author and finish salvation for all mankind.

Christ our Lord is our supreme example in being stirred by the joy that lies before us.
The joy of our redemption and knowing we are going to be with our Lord in Heaven should stir and motivate us as well to give our love and all we are for Him.
C.  His discipline: He endured the Cross. (v.2c)
 Jesus Christ ignored and despised the shame of the cross in order to finish the race of perfect obedience to God. And because He was perfectly obedient, He has blazed the path of perfect righteousness for us by His death on the cross, which makes us acceptable to God. The Christian race exists because Jesus Christ disciplined Himself; He obeyed God perfectly, even to the extent of dying for us. This He willingly did, and because He did, He is the supreme example of sacrifice for us. We should endure in believing and obeying God no matter the cost or price we have to pay, even if it means martyrdom.

 D. His reward: He is exalted above all. (v.2d)

Jesus Christ is the supreme example of receiving the reward of faith. He was exalted to the right hand of the throne of God. Believers witnessed His ascension and one day we Christians will see Him in all His majestic glory when He returns for His church, the dead in Christ shall rise first and be given their glorified bodies, then we who are alive and remain shall be changed, and we shall be caught up together with the Lord and so shall we ever be with Him.

Invitation: Have you looked to Jesus Christ for your salvation? Have you confessed that you are a sinner and you want to be forgiven of your sins. Tell Him you desire a home in Heaven with Him and the Father God. He will not turn you away!