Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.** Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)**
The Great Model for our faith is Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells us, He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He both pioneered and perfected the path of faith and believers are to follow in His footsteps through His power and for His glory and for our good. John writes in 1 John 2:6 (NIV): “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” This is not to be some vague idea or add on nicety rather it is to be a happy practice as we view His life through the eyes of our hearts. We look upon Him and His “unsearchable riches” by faith and not by sight. Our desire is to be like Him – to walk as He walked – through His power and for His glory and our good – one never surpassing the other.
We can often be weary in our walks of faith and lose focus, easily becoming fainthearted, Amen? Yet, God calls us to take a good look at Jesus in a deeply personal way - as a lost person would pour over and study a map to discover his position. This life of faith is not simply to be an unclear or vague notion, but rather a comforting, happy practice. Certain of unseen hopes and realities. It was Jesus Who perfected the way of faith and reached its end successfully. And we are to keep our eyes on the joy set before us as well. He pioneered our faith and we are to follow in His footsteps. And we are to be students of His life as He was well pleasing to the Father. He is our supreme example.
Many believers feel fainthearted and weary making it super easy to stumble and lose sight of the finish line – sadly, some wanting to abort mission altogether. We must remind ourselves as Robert Murray M’Cheyne writes: “There is nothing that you can possibly need but you will find it in Him.” And again, “For every one look within, take ten looks at Christ.” And lastly, “It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
Our Jesus kept the goal and perspective set before Him with joy wherein He obtained an eternal throne and by which He reached its end successfully – opening the door to bring many to glory – thankfully. He kept His eyes on this joy set before Him, Hebrews tells us, to keep Himself from becoming weary and losing heart – pioneering and perfecting the way of faith for us to walk in as He reached its end successfully. In sharing in that true joy, believers must also keep the end goal in view when finishing well.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1-2 (NIV)