It is always the work of the Spirit that we are looking at Christbut Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, as he is constantly trying to make us consider ourselves instead of Christ.
He hints: ‘Your sins are too great for forgiveness, you don’t have faith, you don’t repent enough, you can never go on to the end, you don’t have the joy of your children, you have such a wavering grip on Jesus. However, we must not be fooled.
What does it mean to look at Jesus?
We must be looking at Christ, the creator and perfecter of our true faith, who only to save us endured the cross, shame and mockery, and is seated at the throne of God.
1. Looking means leaning
Looking at Jesus means trusting him. The word translated “look” has the idea of focusing our gaze on something with confidence. “fix our eyes”.
Jesus is our encouragement in this race, as our example and as our help. As an example, Jesus is the forerunner who preceded us. He has lived faithfully in this world, trusting in the Father and yielding to his will. He has left us an example that we could follow in his footsteps (1 Peter 2:21).
As our help, Jesus is the one from whom we draw power. He is the one who has given us life (John 5:21) and has sent the Helper to be with us forever (John 14:16). We do this race only by his word and only by the power of his Spirit. So we look at him. We lean on him.
2. Looking means not looking
Another aspect embedded in this idea of looking at Christ is that we look without distractions. Biblical scholar Peter O’Brien points out that the prefix to this Greek verb translated “to look” actually carries the meaning of “to look away from all others towards one.” This makes absolute sense.
When we look at Jesus it means we are not looking at anything else. Looking at him means that we turn our backs on all other things. We forget the approval of man and the consuming goal of leaving a “spiritual legacy.”
Of all the good things we could look at and draw energy from, Jesus demands our exclusive gaze. Looking at anything else will eventually be exposed for the hollow search that it is. Looking at Jesus means looking only at him. That’s what it means to be God: you don’t share his seat.
3. Looking means loving
Looking at Christ means that we accept that he is our reward. There is a parallel in this passage between where we look in our career and where Jesus looked in his. The text says of the premonition of Jesus: “for the joy set before him.”
We see some clauses after this reward was his being “sitting at the right hand of the throne of God.” This was where he fixed his gaze. It was the sight of this finish line that carried him through the suffering and shame. It was his goal.
And what about ours?
It is the same Jesus. Jesus is our goal. Looking at him means loving him, longing to be with him, seeing him as him, living in communion with him forever. One day we’ll see, you know. We will see it with our eyes, we will hear it and we will touch it. And for that, we must prepare ourselves every day.
Why should you set your sights on Jesus?
Must follow jesus because he is Lord, not just because of what he can do for us. I do not deny that Jesus can and will do much for us when we follow him. But I am saying that the main reason we should follow Jesus is because of who he is, not because of what he can do for us.
We can be tortured and killed for our faith, but we must still follow Jesus if He is the Sovereign Lord of all. Luke’s account of Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem shows us five aspects of Jesus Christ’s lordship that give us strong reasons to follow him, even to death.
1. Jesus is the Lord of authority
In order to have enduring faith, you must understand that Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord of authority. He is sovereign even over all the bad things that happen in the world. You will work all these things together for his glory and for the highest good of his saints.
Jesus was not a well-meaning reformer who was tragically murdered because he made a mistake in choosing a disloyal disciple who betrayed him. He gave his life for his sheep on his own initiative (John 10:17-18).
Although the crucifixion of Jesus, the Son of God, was the most horrible crime imaginable, and those who did it are responsible for their terrible sin, that sin did not thwart God’s sovereign plan, but fulfilled it. Nothing can frustrate God’s purpose (Psalms 103:19; 115:3).
2. Jesus is the Lord of creation
If Jesus is the Almighty Creator, then we certainly must follow him. If you want a faith that perseveres, bow down to Jesus as the Lord of creation. Of Jesus, John wrote: “All things came to pass through Him; and apart from Him, nothing arose” (John 1:3).
We are not here as a result of random chance plus billions of years of evolution. The personal God created us and has a purpose for our lives, both in time and in eternity. We realize that purpose when we follow it. Jesus is the Lord of authority and the Lord of creation.
3. Jesus is merciful
In Luke 19:41-44, Jesus predicts the terrible judgment that would come upon Jerusalem. Consider his attitude: he cried. The word is stronger than everything written in John 11:35, where Jesus wept silently at the tomb of Lazarus.
The word here means loud sobs or a cry of agony. God does not delight in judgment, but in mercy. He is not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. He is slow to anger and abounds in love toward every sinner (Exodus 34:6-7).
4. Jesus is the Lord of salvation
Jesus came the first time offering peace, and the offer stands until he comes again for judgment. He offered himself to be the lamb to pay for sins, if his blood is applied to your sins through your acceptance, God will pass over you on the day of judgment, and you will be safe.
His offer to you is peace with God through the forgiveness of your sins. On the cross, Jesus satisfied God’s wrath for every sinner who will trust Him. We must admit that we are sinners and that we desperately need a Savior.
Things to Consider When Deciding to Follow Jesus
Jesus is the only lord and savior, the Bible says so, no one goes to the father if it is not through him. All of us must always be looking at Christ to reach the promise of being saved, however this will never be easy, there are certain things that we must take into account in this process. When deciding to follow Christ it is necessary:
1. Be willing to obey and submit
Following Jesus does not mean that you live independently of his example and instruction. Followers of Christ confidently obey and submit to his will by faith, even when it exceeds comprehension. “Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will go to him and make our home with him'” (John 14:23).
2. Prepare to endure hardship
Are you prepared to endure hardship for the cause of Christ? Following Jesus means that difficulties are not just a possibility, but a guarantee. But James 1:12 explains: that the one who remains in the trial will be blessed by God.
3. Be willing to see the ugliness of sin
Walking with Jesus Christ means seeing the sin it reveals, confronting it, and asking for forgiveness. You will continue to fall short every day, and that can be frustrating for believers who assume that following Christ equals perfection.
As you succumb to temptations and earthly pleasures, you will discover that having a new heart means you have a new awareness and sensitivity to sin when you never have before. But cheer up, friend. Christ’s perfect sacrifice has covered us from condemnation, and he will provide you with the strength you need to flee from sin.
4. Be aware that the world will not always accept you
When you really get to know Jesus Christ, it’s hard to understand how others won’t receive him and his followers. But Jesus does not protect us from this sad reality: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18). If the world is not walking with it, they are fighting against it.
As his follower, you will find yourself in similar situations of persecution, misunderstanding, condemnation, non-acceptance, hostility and oppression. Amidst the antagonism of the world, hold fast to what Peter and the apostles recognized in Acts 5:29: “We are to obey God rather than men.”
5. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone
Christians are called to seek justice, defend the homeless, and serve the poor. None of these commands can be accomplished by sitting quietly at home.
Whether you are comfortable with the Lord’s commandments or not, you will be challenged to speak up when you are scared, intimidated, or uncomfortable. Jesus doesn’t say you have to be full of doctrinal knowledge or a spiritual superstar to do these things, Jesus calls us to a willing and obedient heart that goes wherever he sends us.
6. Prepare to be accountable
Through Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross, and by faith in him, your sins have been blotted from your record. But this does not mean that you are free to take Christ’s sacrifice for granted and continue to sin deliberately.
You will continue to stand before the judgment seat of God, and you will give an account of your actions (Romans 14:12). You must not only remain accountable to God, but also to others in the body of Christ. Accountability seems intimidating, but it is a gift from God to help us walk on the right path.
7. Leave things behind
Ephesians 4 tells us not to walk as we used to (v. 17) because our understanding is darkened, we are excluded from God, we are ignorant, and our hearts are hardened (v. 18).
Therefore, we must put off our old self, before knowing Christ, and put on our new self, which is now in the likeness of God (v. 24).
Faith in Christ demands a radical change in your lifestyle, in the way you once behaved. It can mean turning away from people or situations that ultimately do not glorify God, and this can be challenging.
8. Expect to be humble
Philippians 2 tells us that followers of Christ do nothing out of rivalry or presumption, but humbly count others more important than themselves (v. 3) and look out for the interests of others (v. 4).
Christians must walk humbly because Christ himself did not consider equality with God to be something that could be understood. Boasting in our weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30) seems contrary to our culture, but it is our duty as followers of Christ.
10. Prepare to love
At first glance, this final consideration seems easy to achieve. But by loving as Christ did, this means you can’t be selective about who you love. Following Jesus means loving…