LOOKING UNTO JESUS

"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, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:1-2)

The road to glory requires hearty effort and good concentration. Distractions are lethal, pulling the soul into dangers from which deliverance is not guaranteed. The race set before us is long and arduous. We are surrounded by a gallery of witnesses that have already completed the race. A tender heart can sense them urging us on, shouting encouragement to us from heaven's portals. The race also requires the removal of weights and hindrances from our lives: i.e., "every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us." The spiritual runner is not asking what things he can keep coiled around his soul, but what must be thrust from him in order to allow more consistent and tireless running. For every believer, there is a sin that "so easily besets"–one that is known best by himself. It is a sort of diversion from the race, taking the runner out of the competition, and making him feel more at home in this world.
But there is more to this race–this charted and personalized course to glory. Not only are we encouraged by those who have gone before us, and not only must we rid ourselves of distracting encumbrances, we must "look unto Jesus." Our hearts must be focused upon Him. His Person is to dominate our thinking. Our consideration of Jesus is particularized. First, He is the "Author and Finisher of our faith." He must have our eye to complete what He has started in us, for He guides us with His eye (Psa 32:8). We look to Him expectantly, believing He will bring us to God as the Word declares (1 Pet 3:18; Heb 2:10). Not only has He traveled the course we are running, He will assist us in negotiating the entirety of the journey.
We also "look unto Jesus" because of the example He set before us. He endured the "contradiction of sinners" against Himself (Heb 12:3), fastening His eye upon the "joy set before Him." The anticipation of the completion of His work, and the inexplicable joy that awaited Him, enabled our Lord to continue His course even though it was attended with considerable difficulties. What was set before Him was greater than what He was experiencing in a hostile world. The consideration of that "joy" made His race worth running, and the shame associated with His cross unworthy of pondering. Those who look confidently to Him will be shown glimpses of the glory that is ahead. That glimpse will make their race worth running also.