Upper Loft Meditation - Hebrews 12:2

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2

What a tremendous contrast, joy verses shame.

Jesus sees the fulfillment of the promise of God, the joy of eternal communion with the Father. The humiliation and suffering of the cross was but for a moment in comparison with the fellowship with the Father forever. This should be our perspective, because we have the same promise. This is the very request of Jesus. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” - John 17:24

“The greatest act of love that has ever been performed was sustained by the joy of hope.” (Piper) Because of the joy set before us, you can endure all the suffering the world can throw at you. You are loved by the Father and by Jesus.

The Holy Spirit manifests the Father’s love upon you in many and various ways. One way is to strengthen you with the hope that is yours in Christ Jesus. The pain and suffering may still be there, but underneath it all the joy and hope of the Father’s love remains.

“I’m absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” - (Romans 8:39 - MSG)

This is why we are to fix our eyes on Jesus.

Upper Loft Meditation - Hebrews 12

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2

Why is the care of our faith so very important? It is a gift we have received from God. It is through faith that we will receive blessing, hope, and our eternal inheritance.

Faith requires care and feeding. Faith is like a present that must be unwrapped and put to good use. If our faith is not nurtured, it will start to shrink like a muscle. Our faith must be exercised.

The writer in Hebrews 12 exhorts us to look intently on Jesus. He is the author and founder of our faith. He is the perfecter of our faith. Jesus lived his life by faith from the very beginning, from going to the temple to dialogue wiht the religious elite to going to the cross on our behalf.

What is fantastic about this perspective is that Jesus lived his life fully by faith. He is a model of faith. “One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.” (Heb. 4:15) Thayer speaks of Jesus as “one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.” (Wuest)

As you look at Jesus, in what way is He modeling faith for you today? If you do not know, ask Jesus to show you how you can exercise your faith today.

Upper Loft Meditation - Hebrews 12

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2

“Look unto Jesus” - The meaning behind the word is to look away from something else and turn and look at Jesus steadfastly without distraction.  It is a compound word made of two words, “to separate” and “to see” all brought together as one word.  There are two steps here in fixing our eyes.

Step 1 - Turn away from that which has your attention. This requires a conscious effort of heart and mind. This is not a passing glance. It is a determined focus. No Olympic runner runs the race as if he were a sightseer.

Step 2 - Look at Jesus. We are to have eyes for no one, no other thing, other than Jesus. Peter experienced this in Matthew 14. We may encounter storms in life because of our disobedience, but here Peter is obeying Jesus’ command to walk on the water. He is living a miracle, until he takes his eyes off of Jesus.

“We look to Jesus by faith when we trust His word. We need to beware of the distracting storms (which are a certainty in our life in this fallen world)! Instead we need to keep our eyes continually focused on the One who controls the ‘waves’ and is able to calm the storm!” (Gebelein)

This is not easy. It requires training. We love to be distracted. This will require changing our ways.

Lord, help me to look to you. You are the lover of my soul, my all in all. There is no other

Upper Loft Meditation - Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” - Hebrews 12:1

The purpose in throwing off hindrances and entanglements is so that you can run.  A Christian is born again to run.  I love to watch a good race and I am looking forward to the Olympics next week.

Our calling is not to be spectators, but to be runners in the race of faith.  We may not be gold medalists, but neither are we to be pillow attachments.  What does this understanding imply?

1. To run involves movement even if it is running in place.  It takes energy and effort.  It is intentional.  You choose not to wander, drift, or languish down the path of faith aimlessly.  You are to run.
2. To run is to pursue a set direction and to look where you are going.  You may not see very far ahead, but you know you will see more clearly when you get there.
3. The race is not always easy.  It will require discipline, effort, and perseverance.  There will be times of pain and agony.  You can expect that.
4. To run the race of faith is to know there is a finish line where you are guaranteed a victory.  There is a place reserved for you on the victory stand.  It is a victory that has already been won for you through Jesus Christ

Upper Loft Meditation - Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” - Hebrews 12:1

It was only a small bug, but its presence on her shoulder caused a nuclear reaction.  The decibel level, the jumping up and down with escalating speed, all this was a reaction calling for immediate removal of the small bug as far away as possible.  All other issues, cares, conversations were set aside.  Only one thing mattered - bug removal.

Our journey of faith is portrayed here as a race.  In running such a long race it is easy to become casual, comfortable, and contented.  We can become spiritual tourists focusing on the experiences of the moment, the roadside attractions, and forget we are in a race with a glorious finish line ahead.

There are three thoughts in this phrase that will help us focus in this race.

1. We all carry encumbrances with us on the journey.  These hindrances are to be identified and put out of the way.  An Olympic runner removes everything but the bare essentials to run the race.
2. These obstacles you carry with you may be good things.  The choice then is between what is better or what is the best.  What will most help me in the race and what slows me down?  No marathon runner carries a backpack with 20 of his favorite CDs, a large sandwich, 1/2 gallon of power drink, and the morning paper for his break time.  He is not in a race.  He is sightseeing!
3. If you are too busy for Bible study, prayer, or serving to bless others, than your business is an encumbrance.

The goal is to run free by the grace of God to bless others, to proclaim His goodness and to enjoy Him forever.

Upper Loft Meditation - Hebrews 12

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” - Hebrews 12:1

The challenge is our journey of faith is to be focused.  Everywhere we turn there are distractions.  Amusement.  Entertainment. Attractive offers.  A feeble reason to stay on the couch.

There is a saying, “His head is in the clouds.”  What that means is that he can’t see anything that is happening around him.  His ideas are unrealistic and impractical.

The cloud image here does not refer to confusion and uncertainty, but it is used to encourage, convict, and call for hope in the midst of your trials.

The author of Hebrews gives us guidance on how to find our focus.  The exhortation begins with “Therefore” in verse 1, which refers to the previous chapter.  Here is laid out a quick tour of the faith hall of fame that includes those who are famous, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Rehab and those who are nameless.  The impression given is of a great number who were faithful.

The cloud of witnesses conveys two ideas here.  First, there is a great number who have gone before you that testify by their very lives of God’s faithfulness.  No faith journey is the same.  But God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.  “We are so surrounded by this dense throng, that wherever we turn our eyes many examples of faith immediately meet us.” (John Calvin)

Secondly, there is a unified voice that sings out in their witness; “Be strong and take heart, all of you who hope in the LORD!” Psalm 31:24.  This unified voice is not of spectators but of witnesses who speak of their own experience of God’s faithfulness.

As you look around what does the cloud of witnesses say to you today?

Upper Loft Meditation - Hebrews 10

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” - Hebrews 10:23

The context of this great verse gives important perspective for how we are to live. The preceding verse exhorts us to come close to God, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” Because the pathway has been cleared, we have passed security controls, and we are invited into His presence.

Verse 23 exhorts us to hold tight to the hope we proclaim. Our profession of faith is to be a witness in word and deed to God’s faithfulness. What we say must match how we live. Hold tight.

You may think that your spiritual grip is not very strong. The faith threats that mock your beliefs, the sinful splattering in your workplace, your sputtering steadfastness all threaten your ability to hold on tight. But, God has a hold of you. It is the power of His grip that will enable you to persevere. Hold fast to His faithfulness. Wear your spiritual seatbelt.

Verse 24 follows with a third exhortation, “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” As we hold fast to the Lord, we are to prod, provoke, and incite one another to Christ-like action toward others. In other words, in light of God’s faithfulness and our secure hope in His promises, we must stir up one another to acts of love and mercy.

Our hope gives us confidence to boldly follow Christ’s example.