Take A Good Look - Looking Unto Jesus
Hebrews 12:1-12
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 the throne of God.
Did you know that the eye is one of the most complex organs of the human body. In fact, it is second in its complexity only to the brain. According to the website, optometrists.org, over 80% of what our brain processes comes from what we look at, our vision. Every second, your eyes change focus over 50 times. Did you know that there are over 1 million nerves that connect the eyes to the brain? This interesting fact really caught my attention: on a dark night the human eye can detect a candle burning over 14 miles away.
As complex and interesting as our physical eyes are, let’s shift our focus to our spiritual eyes, and what we will be looking to this new year. The Bible has a lot to say about what we focus our eyes upon. That is why it is so important for us to take a good look around us.
The writer of Hebrews must have had this in his mind when we wrote in Hebrews 12:2, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Over the next few weeks, I invite you to join me as we look at what the Bible says about what we should and should not be looking at.
But for today, as we begin this new year, I pose to you a simple question. Are you looking unto Jesus? For some of you, 2022 ended with high hopes for the year ahead. Your business did well, your family excelled, you made the most of opportunities and maybe your college football team even ended the year with a win in its bowl game! For others of you, your 2022 ended with heartache. It brought loss, difficulty and hardship. Regardless of your experience, 2022 is now in the past. Some of last year’s events serve as building blocks for years ahead, the lessons will live on, the joys will be cherished and the losses will be remembered. But now it is time to look ahead. How do we do that?
The best place to start is by “looking at Jesus.” I don’t mean an occasional glance in His direction. I don’t mean just a Sunday look at Jesus when you attend church. I mean taking a good look at Jesus. The New American Standard Bible says it this way, “fixing our eyes on Jesus.” That is a powerful image, calling us to more than an occasional look or a quick glance. The Bible is calling us to focus on Jesus. And if you follow the remaining part of that verse you will know why. Focusing on Jesus deepens our faith!
Consider with me these 5 ways we can be looking at Jesus in 2023.
Look to Jesus for wisdom.
You will no doubt face some challenges in 2023. Some may be overwhelming or disappointing, but all will require special wisdom. Look to Jesus for wisdom.
Look to Jesus for hope.
The days we find ourselves living in are certainly dark. The world around us is pressing in, and quite frankly, living the Christ-life in the face of such adversity and criticism, is difficult. But our hope has never been in the world and will never be in the world. Look to Jesus, our only hope!
Look to Jesus for satisfaction.
Disappointments are a part of life for all people, believers and unbelievers alike. Ever since the fall of man in the garden, life brings disappointments. The only true satisfaction we will ever receive is in Jesus.
Look to Jesus in prayer.
Would you consider starting and maintaining a prayer journal in 2023? A journal is a place where you record your hopes, fears, thoughts and ideas about life. A prayer journal is a place where you give those hopes, fears, thoughts, ideas and requests to God. I encourage you to start a prayer journal in 2023. I’d love to share my simple method with you if you need help getting started. Just reach out to me david@davidsmithministry.com.
Look to Jesus in His Word.
This year I am starting a new “Read the Bible in a Year” plan and I am so excited about it. It is a Bible reading plan from the late Robert Murray M’Cheyne, who was a preacher from the early 1800’s. His Bible reading plan is laid out exceptionally well. More than the plan itself however, I am looking to Jesus in His Word. I sure hope you will join me this year. If you want one of these Bible reading plans from Robert Murray M’Cheyne, let me know and I will gladly get you the information.
Over the next few weeks, we will be talking more about the things upon which we look. I hope you will “take a look with me!”
Before you move onto the rest of your day, I want to make you aware of something that is coming in 2023 for this ministry. Every Thursday, the current ministry blog is published, and I am so thankful to you for taking the time to read it. Beginning later this week I will also be publishing a leadership blog. At the encouragement of a few friends, I will be launching a monthly blog soon dealing with matters of personal and ministry leadership. I hope you will join me on the journey!
I am praying that your 2023 will be a great year as you look to Jesus!