The Epistle to the Hebrews encourages us to run life鈥檚 race, 鈥渇ixing our eyes on Jesus鈥� (Heb. 12:2 NIV).
In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were dying from fiery snakes in the wilderness. God told Moses to fashion a bronze serpent on a pole, so that anyone who was bitten could be healed and saved, just by looking up at the bronze serpent (Num. 21:6-9). In the New Testament, Jesus tells us that He provides eternal salvation in a similar way 鈥� for the whole world. 鈥淎s Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life鈥� (John 3:14-15 ESV).
Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Ultimately, we will find our help, our life, our purpose and our eternity in no one else (Acts 4:12). But looking to the Lord Jesus, we find all these indeed. 鈥淢y eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge鈥� (Ps. 141:8 ESV).
This is why people traveled out to desolate places to see Jesus (Mark 8:4). This is why Greek visitors begged Philip, 鈥淪ir, we wish to see Jesus鈥� (John 12:21 ESV). This is why people carried their stricken friend to see Jesus, even digging through a roof and lowering him down with ropes (Mark 2:3-4). This is why Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up in a tree (Luke 19:3-4). To see Jesus.
Thanks be to God, we have seen Jesus as well. We see Him in the waters of our Baptism, where we were buried with Him in His crucifixion and death and raised with Him by the power of His resurrection (Rom. 6:3-5). We see Him in the preaching of the Gospel: 鈥淏efore your eyes 鈥� Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified鈥� (Gal. 3:1 ESV). We see Him in Holy Communion, hidden under bread and wine, and we recognize Him there in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:30-34). In all these ways, 鈥淕od, who said, 鈥楲et light shine out of darkness,鈥� has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ鈥� (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV).
This same Jesus, now risen from the dead and reigning at God鈥檚 right hand, is coming again soon. He will come down from the sky, 鈥渁nd every eye will see him鈥� (Rev. 1:7 ESV). Indeed, in the coming kingdom, Christ鈥檚 people will see His face and will reign with Him forever (Rev. 22:4-5).
Therefore, as we run the course God has marked out for us, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and set our minds on things above (Col. 3:1-4). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who gives us forgiveness, peace, wisdom, contentment, joy and eternal life! Let us fix our eyes on Him so that we do not grow weary or lose heart (Heb. 12:3)!
In Christ鈥檚 love,
Thomas J. Egger
President