Staying Focused On Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)
STAYING FOCUS ON JESUS
"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. " (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
As recounted by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson in his Vision of the Leader seminar, he tells of the classic Rose Bowl football contest in 1929. The game was tied, and one of the football players (Roy Riegels) picked up a fumble that fortuitously bounced in his arms, and he began running for the end zone. With great skill and athleticism, Riegels made the opponent miss as he darted for the end zone to win the game. He ran 70 yards but was tackled one yard short of the goal line. The opponent did not tackle him; his teammate tackled him.
When Roy Riegels picked up the ball and began to run, he was given a fierce hit that turned him in the wrong direction. Riegels thought he was running in the right direction, but he was running in the wrong direction. For the rest of his life, he was not known for his remarkable athletic abilities, but he was known for his one blunder on the field. He never escaped the reputation of being known as Roy “Wrong Way” Riegels.
Dr. Wilkinson wrote, “Run with speed. Run with power. However, ultimately, all that matters is the right destination.”
In Hebrews 12:1-2, the anonymous writer helps us focus on running in the right direction and towards the right finish line. The writer helps us focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. Jesus Christ is the only reason we should Stay Focused on What Matters. We are encouraged to “run with endurance…[to] fix our eyes on Jesus…[who] endured the cross, scorning its shame.” Jesus endured the suffering so we could have victory in and through his suffering.
Verse 2 states that we should look “to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” As we run this race of faith, it is essential to keep the One who is the pioneer and perfection of our faith before our eyes. It is in Jesus that we find the promises of God. It is because of Jesus that we have salvation. It is because of Jesus that we have access to the Father. Hebrews 3:1 declares that Jesus is the “apostle and high priest of our confession.”
Let us stay focused on Jesus—the founder and perfecter of our faith. Only what you do for Christ will last! The race is not given to the swift or the strong but to the one who endures until the end (Eccl 9:11).
When Roy Riegels picked up the ball and began to run, he was given a fierce hit that turned him in the wrong direction. Riegels thought he was running in the right direction, but he was running in the wrong direction. For the rest of his life, he was not known for his remarkable athletic abilities, but he was known for his one blunder on the field. He never escaped the reputation of being known as Roy “Wrong Way” Riegels.
Dr. Wilkinson wrote, “Run with speed. Run with power. However, ultimately, all that matters is the right destination.”
In Hebrews 12:1-2, the anonymous writer helps us focus on running in the right direction and towards the right finish line. The writer helps us focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. Jesus Christ is the only reason we should Stay Focused on What Matters. We are encouraged to “run with endurance…[to] fix our eyes on Jesus…[who] endured the cross, scorning its shame.” Jesus endured the suffering so we could have victory in and through his suffering.
Verse 2 states that we should look “to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” As we run this race of faith, it is essential to keep the One who is the pioneer and perfection of our faith before our eyes. It is in Jesus that we find the promises of God. It is because of Jesus that we have salvation. It is because of Jesus that we have access to the Father. Hebrews 3:1 declares that Jesus is the “apostle and high priest of our confession.”
Let us stay focused on Jesus—the founder and perfecter of our faith. Only what you do for Christ will last! The race is not given to the swift or the strong but to the one who endures until the end (Eccl 9:11).
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