focus on Jesus – Garden Faith

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (BSB)

It is believed Hebrews was written to persecuted Jewish Christians, encouraging them to persevere in their faith. Encouraging them to fix their eyes on Jesus. Reminding them to trust God, remain steadfast in their beliefs, and keep the faith.

Jesus faced persecution and hardship but was determined to carry out God’s will. He endured death on the cross for our salvation. He willingly finished His path to pay for our sins. By focusing on Jesus and following His path of faith, despite our present hardships and difficulties we know we can trust God with our future.

Jesus focused on the joy to come, to sit beside God, His father, and to save His sheep (us).

2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)

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Where is your focus this Advent season? Are your eyes fixed on Jesus, or worldly concerns?

Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus and turn away from sin. Teach us to be more Christ-like in our actions. Guide us on our path. Like the butterfly weeds orange flowers brighten the garden; let us fix our eyes on Jesus and brighten our lives. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

The writer of Hebrews acknowledges faithful people in the past as; huge crowds of witnesses with faith. They are examples of people persevering despite hardships and problems but continuing to trust and obey the Lord. To encourage church members to maintain their faith and to rid themselves of anything that hinders Christian life. To persevere and avoid sin, striving to do God’s will.

To run with endurance the race God has set before us, we should follow the supreme example of persistent faith; Jesus. He did not give up but endured the cross for us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

To run with endurance, we need to run our correct path; with patience, faith, and our eyes focused on Jesus.

12 1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

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Have you lost your focus, or are you running with endurance and faith?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, help us to rid ourselves of any hindrances to our walk of faith. Teach us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to run the race you set before us with endurance and perseverance. Like the hosta flower are upright reaching toward to sun, let us be upright in our ways; focus on and reach out toward Your Son, Jesus. Amen