Keep Your Eyes 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 God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
The Christian life is a life-long marathon, not a one-week sprint, and it is going to take endurance to run and finish the race well. Thankfully, our mighty God has given us everything we need to finish the race strong (Rom 15:5).
First, we have a great cloud of witnesses and believers who have shown us what it looks like to run the race faithfully. Who is someone in your life who has modeled following Jesus that you can imitate? Who is someone that you can model faithfulness to?
Second, God has made us new creations (2 Cor 5:17), so that we can put off the old self and put on the new (Eph 4:22–24), throwing off every weight and sin that hinders us from running well. What weights and sins do you need to throw off as you run after Jesus?
Third, Jesus himself stands both as our ultimate example in the race as well as the one who made the way for us to be saved. He is the one who made the way for us to be saved by dying for our sins, and the finisher who said, “It is finished” on the cross. He is even the one who gave us faith to believe in the first place (Phil 1:6; Eph 2:8–9). Thankfully, we don’t run the race on our own strength, but by His (Rom 15:5; Col 1:29). Our race is a guaranteed victory because Jesus is the one who will sustain us to the end and complete what He started (Phil 1:6; Jude 24–25). Are your eyes locked in on Jesus? Do you run the race in eager anticipation of the eternity with Jesus that awaits you at the finish line (Phil 3:12)?
Even in the middle of trials, we can have joy knowing that not a single bit of our suffering is wasted, but that God is using all of it for His good purposes to make us like Christ (Rom 5:3–5; 8:28–29; 2 Cor 4:17). For the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, and likewise we can endure through sufferings. At the other side of the cross, Jesus knew there awaited the ultimate joy of His exaltation as well as eternity with us. At the end of our suffering, there also awaits greater joy that we'll ultimately experience at the finish line in eternity with Him. Keep your eyes on Jesus as you run well!
Running With You,
Max Dalrymple (Student Ministry Director)