Fixing Your Gaze
Good morning, Immanuel. Let’s set our eyes on Jesus today.
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1b-3).
Some years ago, my dad took my brother and me to Utah for a camping trip, where we spent a few days biking with a guide. The first morning on the bike was challenging, and I struggled to keep up with the group. The trail was narrow and bumpy, so I kept hitting trees, boulders, and other unforgiving objects. Both my bike and my ego were taking a beating, so during a water break, our guide took me aside.
“Vince, what are you looking at when you’re on the bike?”
“Umm, whatever is in front of me?” I responded.
“Be more specific; which part of what’s in front of you are you looking at?” He asked.
I thought back to my last few hours on the trail.
“Well, I guess I’m looking at the stuff I want to avoid. Rocks, stumps, cliffs, rattlesnake holes.”
“That’s your problem, man. You can’t look at that stuff. Wherever you look, that’s where your bike will go. Look at the narrow path you want to take. Fixate on it. You’ll go where your eyes go.”
Brothers and sisters, we will go where our eyes go. And our glorious savior has captured our gaze. Our eyes are fixed on Jesus. He pioneers and perfects our faith. He is seated at the Father’s right hand with mercy for us. Consider Him this Christmas season. Give Him a good long look. Your past was paid for by His enduring the cross. Your future is victoriously and gloriously bound up in His. We will go where our eyes go. And that is incredibly good news.
Good news indeed 🙏🏼