Keeping Our Eyes Fixed On Jesus

Hebrews 12:2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when he corrects you. “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.” Hebrews 12:1-6 NET

Chapter 12 powerfully encapsulates everything we’ve learned in Chapter 11, emphasizing the heroes of faith and our own personal journeys. As my grandmother often reminded me, we stand on the shoulders of those who have endured trials, persevered, and paved the way for us, allowing us to reap the profound blessings of faith. This truth resonates profoundly when we reflect on Jesus, the foundation of our hope, who courageously faced the suffering of the cross for the joy it would ultimately bring.

Within each of us lies a remarkable chemical in our brains known as dopamine, a critical motivator that drives us toward our desires and needs—commonly referred to as the pleasure center of our brain. This divine design, intricately woven by God, allows us to experience passion, motivation, and pleasure. Yet, our brains also crave balance, a state known as homeostasis. In this delicate interplay, the pursuit of pleasure is counterbalanced by the necessity of effort or even suffering as we strive to achieve a harmonious and balanced state of being.

It’s crucial to understand that while many people chase the exhilarating highs associated with dopamine, they often find themselves ensnared in the cycle of addiction. This pursuit demands a heavy toll, which can manifest as withdrawal symptoms, hangovers, or other negative consequences. Ultimately, there is always a cost associated with the dopamine rush, a price to pay for fleeting pleasure that cannot be ignored because of the need for mental and physical homeostasis.

I wish to highlight the profound sacrifices made by saints who have suffered for Jesus, not to downplay their experiences, but to emphasize an important truth: for every spiritual struggle we undertake for the kingdom of God, there is a corresponding physiological choice that carries significant real-world consequences.

Consider the life of Jesus, as captured in today’s scripture: “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross.” Jesus faced immense work and suffering before He could embrace the joy that awaited Him. This principle of balance, or homeostasis, shines through in this verse.

Jesus recognized that achieving this balance was vital for salvation, even when its weight felt unbearable. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He confided in His disciples, saying, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Then, moving a bit further away, He fell to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Matthew 26:38-39)

This decisive moment illustrates Jesus’s struggle: the tension between His deepest desires that require His suffering and the greater purpose set before Him. Let us take this to heart as we navigate our own spiritual journeys. Following Jesus is not about butterflies and rainbows; it is about a real-world expression of trust in Jesus that all things are put in place for God’s ultimate purpose in our lives, and that includes suffering,

Suffering holds a profound significance that transcends the mere experience of pain and distress; it has the remarkable ability to draw us deeper into the heart of the Father. In enduring suffering, we discover a transformative balance in our lives that propels us toward genuine joy—ultimately guiding us to our actual outcome: balance. By persevering through our trials, we confront our challenges and open ourselves to the victory or reward that accompanies our struggles. This reward may take the form of life or death, yet from the perspective of heaven, the outcome is inconsequential. What truly matters is our deepened connection to the heart of the Father, a connection that is strengthened and deepened through our transformative journey of suffering.

Paul eloquently encapsulates this truth in 2 Corinthians 5: “Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth, we are absent from the Lord—for we live by faith, not by sight. Thus, we are courageous and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) Let this message inspire us to embrace our suffering as a pathway to greater intimacy with the heavenly Father.

The book of James, chapter 1, also powerfully emphasizes the necessity of enduring trials and temptations to achieve completeness and a life that lacks no good thing. These challenges serve as a vital pathway to a profound sense of balance and joy, where we truly experience a deepening of the Father’s presence. By committing ourselves to the journey through suffering, we unlock a deeper understanding of resilience, steering clear of the tempting shortcuts that seek to bypass this essential process. This is not about passive endurance; it requires an active and informed effort. It is empowering and transformative to recognize that in our suffering, we must exercise wisdom and leverage every resource the Lord provides us, enabling us to endure the unwavering goal of victory. We are not mere victims of suffering, but active participants in our own spiritual growth and transformation.

Our victory is Jesus; we keep our eyes fixed on Him; he is our treasure and great reward. The scripture also says that Jesus is our pioneer; he blazed the trail before us through His suffering to model balance and homeostasis, letting us know that overcoming this world and knowing His joy is not impossible. Jesus perfected or completed our faith; he brought balance when it seemed unattainable and offered himself a sacrifice in our stead. This brings me excitement about life and its promises in Jesus.

I am inspired to recognize that Christianity is far more than a mere crutch, as some may assert. It is a powerful pathway to personal growth and deepening faith, especially in the face of suffering and trials. Though difficult, these challenging experiences are transformative; they shape us and fortify our faith, drawing us ever closer to our heavenly Father.

John Barnett wrote a song back in 1990 called “Who would not love you,” which speaks to the love of the love of the Father to us. Because of copyright laws, I cannot post the song here, but I would encourage you to look up this song on YouTube and be blessed and encouraged by this song of worship and devotion.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcT8ukyao9I

Stephen Barnett