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Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-4 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. [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. [4] Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. [KJV]

We are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, so we should strip off every weight that slows us down, especially any sin that hinders our progress. We have a race to run, one that God has set before us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, because it is He on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He willingly died a shameful death on the cross because of the joy He knew would be His afterward. Now He is seated in the place of highest honor, at the right Hand of God. Think about all He endured when sinful people did such terrible things to Him, so that you don't become weary and give up.

I think that the “great cloud of witnesses” is made up of the people described in Hebrews 11. Their faithfulness is a constant encouragement to us. If we are God’s children, we do not struggle alone, and we are not the first to struggle with problems. The Christian life is not easy, it is hard. We must give up ANYTHING that would endanger our relationship with God. We must run patiently, struggling against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. We must keep our eyes on Jesus. If we take our eyes off Him, onto the circumstances surrounding us, we will stumble and fall. If we look away from Him, and count on our power and wisdom, we are doomed.

Any time we face hardship and discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. We must remember we’re not alone; there is help. Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. Many have endured far more difficult circumstances than we have, and made it through. We must not give up hope. Christ did not give up, neither should we. If our faith stays strong and steadfast in Christ, we will win the crown of glory.

There will be “sin that does so easily beset us,” that hinders our progress, and it is that sin to which we are most prone. It most often is sin to which we are most exposed; from habit, age, or daily circumstances. Unless we subdue sin (defeat and cast it out), it will hinder our running the Christian race and our service to our Lord, and block our view of, and fellowship with Jesus.

If we are faithful, and look to Jesus, our thoughts and deeds will be kept under control. We must not faint under trials. We must not fret but bear them with faith and patience. God will most certainly chasten His children when we refuse to give up sin; but God’s correction is not condemnation. We can endure the chastening with patience, with His help; and hopefully learn a good lesson from it.

Matthew 14:28-31 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. [29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? [KJV] We are not to “tempt” God (Matthew 4:7). Peter was not tempting Jesus, but reacting in faith. Peter was impulsive, and this request led him to experience God’s power in a very unusual way.

Peter DID walk on the water! We are not told how far he walked, but he did walk on the water! WHY did Peter sink? He took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the high waves of the storm around him. When Peter’s faith wavered, because he took his eyes off our Lord, he sank into the turbulent and violent sea. We may not walk on water, but we do walk through some tough situations. If we focus on the waves of all the difficult circumstances around us; and not look to Jesus for help, we too may despair with the hopelessness of our situation, and sink. To keep our faith strong when conditions are hard and rough going, keep your eyes on Jesus’ power, NOT on our weakness.

Christ’s disciples will meet with many great and furious storms in the line of duty, but He will shower us with abundant and amazing grace to overcome them, if we keep our eyes on Him! There are many things He can do to save His people. Nothing is impossible for Him! Nothing should make us afraid if we have Christ near us, not even death itself.

Peter walked on the water; NOT to boast about it, but to go to Jesus, and he was wonderfully upheld . . . until he took his eyes off Jesus. We can never come to Jesus, unless we are upheld by His power. Christ told Peter to “come,” not only that he might walk upon the water, and know the Lord’s power, but that he might know his own weakness. When we take our eyes off Christ, and look at the great and opposing difficulties, we shall begin to fall; but when we call out to Him, He will stretch out His hand and save us. Christ is our great Saviour; and all those who want to be saved, must come to Him, and cry out to Him for salvation.

When we find ourselves sinking; our sense of need and helplessness should drive us to Him. Jesus rebuked Peter, and He will rebuke us also! If we would keep our eyes on Jesus, we would suffer a whole lot less! Our weakness of faith and relentless doubts displease our Lord. There is no good reason why Christ’s disciples should have doubtful minds. Even in our most stormy day, He is always “a very present help.” No one but the world’s Creator could multiply the loaves, and no one but its Ruler could walk upon the waters of the sea.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [KJV] God does not ask too much from His children, but He does ask; rather He demands that we have faith.

What is “faith”?

It is our unquestioning belief and trust in God! It is simply believing what God tells us. Without faith, there is NO way we can ever please God! This verse tells us God will reward those who diligently (persistently) seek Him. And when we have found Him, we must keep our eyes on Him from that day forward; for when we take our eyes off Him, our faith will waver and we will start doubting that He can indeed help us as He so graciously promises. Are you keeping your eyes on Jesus? Let’s not be like Peter and look at the storm around us; for we will surely sink without Jesus!

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JESUS, LORD AND KING

A Gift Unequaled

All Fulness of Christ

The Death of Jesus

Eyes on Jesus

Face to Face

Forgiveness From God

Who is Christ?

Jesus' Agony

Jesus, the Only Way!

Living Water

Messianic Prophecies

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

Who Crucified Christ?

With or Without Christ

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