Look
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. ~Hebrews 12:2
With most things in life, we look for the best example to model after. In the realm of sports, this is so true. There are sports personalities who exemplify excellence, stamina, fortitude, and peak performance that other athletes want to follow after. Parents look to other parents who have successfully raised their children as models in raising great children. Makers of different products look at their competitors as examples of excellent products that can be marketed. Whatever it is, we look for great examples to follow. When we find the best one, we have no need to look further! This morning, we are encouraged to know that we do not need to look any further for the best example for our faith. The Lord Jesus Christ is the One Whom we are to look to!
There is the experience of our faith.
Preceding Hebrews 12:2 is an entire chapter about faith. It speaks of the definition, demand, and demonstrations of faith. The Christian life is a life of faith. “For we walk by faith, and not by sight,” (2 Corinthians 5:7). “The just shall live by faith,” (Galatians 3:11). “But without faith it is impossible to please him,” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is to obey God no matter what. Faith will entail risk-taking. Faith will be stretched to the limit. Faith dares to ask God to do what we cannot humanly do. Faith believes the incredible, sees the invisible, and does what is impossible. Our faith will be tested. Our faith needs to grow. Our faith will be put to the limit.
There is the example for our faith.
We have the Old Testament examples of faith. Men like Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, and Elijah. However, these all died in faith. We are many times in need of an example that is enduring, one that has not died. That example is the Lord Jesus Christ! Why is this? He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is both the Prince (Leader) and the Perfecter of our faith. We do not need to look further than the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." His life encourages us to be good soldiers. His life encourages us to endure hardness. His life encourages us to remain strong even when things are not going well.
There is the expiation for our faith.
What makes Jesus the best example for us is that He endured the cross and despised its shame. He died for every sinner. In His meekness, willingness, obedience, and determination, Jesus sets before us a model on how to be used of God in spite of hardships and difficulties. In enduring the cross and despising its shame, it speaks of how Christ left everything having to do with Heaven for the sole purpose of dying on the cross for our sins. When we get tired and discouraged, we must look to Jesus' death as an example of enduring the hardships of this life.
There is the exhortation for our faith.
We are to look to Jesus. We are to keep our eyes riveted on His model example for building our faith. We see Jesus and His authority; we see Jesus and His ability; and we see Jesus in His adoration. He successfully completed the will of God for Him. We are to successfully fulfill God’s will of our life. We can best do this when our eyes are on how Jesus did this.
We do not need to look further than the example that Jesus set for us. Look to Jesus as you take each step in your faith journey. Look to Jesus when sins easily beset you and weights hold you down. Lay those things aside, and look to Jesus for your life.
Have a faith-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 13-15