CHRISTIAN LIFE: “Fix your eyes upon Jesus”
The Message of a Simple Chorus…..
In the middle of the last century Norman Clayton wrote a short song which some people will remember:
When the road is rough and steep
Fix your eyes upon Jesus,
He alone has power to keep,
Fix your eyes upon Him.
The tune was catchy, and the song appealed to young people – and to some older ones too! Although the song was simple, its message was instructive and remains true today. When life’s pathway is difficult the believer must remember to fix his or her eyes upon Jesus. It is helpful to be reminded of this – but as a matter of fact we should fix our eyes upon Jesus all the time and not only when life is difficult!
One passage of Scripture, in particular, expands on this theme. It is found in the opening verses of Hebrews 12:
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (KJV)
It is worth meditating on these verses for a short while.
This passage must be understood in its context. Hebrews 11 is the great “faith chapter” of the New Testament, presenting us with one example after another of those who triumphed over adversity by means of faith. In spite of difficulties, each man or woman listed in the chapter persevered. We are not to forget them. Together, they form that great “cloud of witnesses” which surrounds us. We might picture them as spectators in the grandstand, watching a sporting event taking place on the field below them. They are not watching in order to be entertained: rather, they were competitors in their younger days but have now “retired” from the sport. Still maintaining an interest, they are occupying seats in the grandstand to watch the next generation of youthful sportsmen and women as they compete.
TO BE INSPIRED
The heroes of Hebrews 11 were actually very ordinary people – just like you and me. They had their weaknesses and faults, but they all triumphed by faith. For them, their earthly conflict is over. Now they are at rest in the Lord’s presence. We can be inspired by their example as we reflect on their lives. Like them, we have a “race that is set before us” demanding strength and perseverance. We must be aware of distractions which may rob us of blessing, and thus we must “lay aside every weight” that might hinder our progress. Like the athlete in the race we must not carry unnecessary “baggage” which might slow us down, for the race must be “run”. In particular we must remember the ever-present danger posed by “sin”. Like lengths of almost invisible wire, it lurks at our feet in order to trip us up.
How can we avoid the snare of sin and triumph in the race like the victors of Hebrews 11? Not only do we have their example: there is Another for us to consider. The Lord Jesus is described as “the author and finisher of our faith” (v.2) who has led the way. How could it be said that He “endured the cross, despising the shame”? His experiences at the cross were more painful than the worst endured by any other person. He was pure and holy beyond our understanding. The “shame” He endured surpasses our comprehension – yet He despised it. How could He do that?
The answer is found in the words, “Who for the joy that was set before Him” (v.2). That was why He “endured the cross”. The Lord Jesus looked ahead to the accomplishment of His work and to the joy that would be experienced when He would “see of the travail of His soul” and “be satisfied” (Isa.53:11). That joy enabled Him to complete the work which He had been given. Now He is seated “at the right hand of the throne of God” (v.2).
The heroes of Hebrews 11 have left us with a number of great examples, but as we continue in the Christian pathway we do not focus our attention on them. No – we “consider Him” and persevere by “looking unto Jesus”. Weariness in the pathway is not unusual. Athletes and competitors in sporting events know only too well how it is possible to become exhausted. We may well “be wearied” and become “faint in [our] minds” as we battle against life’s problems. This is when we must “consider Him” and remember how He endured until the end. Nehemiah encouraged the people of his day by saying, “The joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh.8:10). We can discover this too.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE
In Acts 7 we learn how someone else triumphed by faith. Stephen is often referred to as the first Christian martyr – and since his execution hundreds of thousands of others must have received similar treatment. Stephen resembled the Lord Jesus in so many ways. Like his Saviour, Stephen was falsely accused (Acts 6:13) and faced the mockery of a trial. His defence before those who hated him was truthful, brave and fearless. After recounting accurately the purposes of God towards His people, Stephen confronted those who had accused him with courage and spiritual wisdom. They were “stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears” and had always resisted the Holy Spirit (v.51). Convicted by his words, his enraged listeners turned on him with bitter hatred.
In times of crisis the Lord never leaves His faithful servants to stand alone. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen “looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (v.55). Joyfully he announced to his listeners what he had seen, but they “stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord” (v.57). Next they cast him out of the city, pelting him with heavy stones (v.58).
Although the pain must have been intense, Stephen was still looking up to the Lord whom he had seen in glory. Like his Saviour who prayed for those who had nailed Him to the cross in Luke 23:34, Stephen prayed, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (v.60). Just as Jesus had committed Himself to the Father in Luke 23:46, Stephen yielded himself to his Master with the words, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (v.59). Having done this, we read “he fell asleep” (v.60).
This statement is truly incredible. How is it possible that Stephen’s death by stoning could be compared to falling asleep? Very simply, Stephen had seen the Lord Jesus and was at peace. His experience is not unique as others facing a cruel death at the hands of hateful enemies have also been conscious of the Lord’s presence. We might also think of some dear saints of God who died from natural causes but passed from this life with a radiant expression on their faces. Without endorsing any kind of mystical experience, is it not possible that the Lord might grant a vision of glory to one of His children about to pass from time into eternity?
THE EYE OF FAITH
It is clear from Acts 7 that Stephen actually saw Jesus “standing on the right hand of God” (v.55). Few believers will have had a vision such as this, “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor.5:7). The expression “looking unto Jesus” in Hebrews 12:2 does not refer to seeing Him with out physical eyes, for that is not possible now. Some have described the experience as using “the eye of faith” to see Him. When the road is rough and steep we must fix our eyes upon Jesus. We look up to Him, focusing our attention on where He is. Our Lord and Saviour lives beyond death in a place of unspeakable glory. We must set our affection on the things that are above where He is – seated at the right hand of God (Col.3:1,2). Our progress in this world depends on Him, so we must look to Him by faith daily.
It would be wrong to say nothing about the end of the journey. Those who have been cleansed from their sin through the precious blood of Jesus and redeemed by the Lamb can look forward to the fulfilment of our Lord’s request: “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory” (Jn.17:24). The prospects for the believer are “out of this world” so to speak.
“WE SHALL SEE HIM”
Although we may not see Him now, as 1 Peter 1:8 says, “We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him: for we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn.3:2). All who belong to the Lord Jesus will one day gaze upon the face that Stephen saw. This is guaranteed to happen when the Lord Jesus returns from heaven – and perhaps that event will take place very soon. There will then be a great transformation, for His people will instantly be made like Him.
If we are going to see Him one day and gaze upon Him for ever, we ought to cherish every opportunity we have to draw near to Him now. We can see Him, by faith, as we read His Word. Not only in life’s trials but every day may the Lord graciously enable us to fix our eyes upon Jesus. Can we do anything better than this?