LOOK UP TO JESUS
LOOK UP TO JESUS
BY EVANGELINE UNITY ESAABA FOLSON
HEBREWS 12:2 – 7
- 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 seateth down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
- Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
- And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, my son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him.
- For whom the Lord loveth Him chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.
- If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with thee as sons; for what son is he whom the father chaseneth not?
The passage chosen is rather long, however, verse by verse commentary would be given to make it easier to understand.
We all complain frequently that life is difficult. Day by day we face trials and temptations and God expects us to overcome them all. This is confirmed in the verses below.
I Corinthians 10: 13 says
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
I Peter 1: 16 says Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
If we will be able to overcome our trials and temptations then we need to look up to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. Simply put, Jesus created our faith and it is only Jesus that can make our faith in God complete.
Now let us take the passage verse by verse
Hebrews 12: 2
Like, verse 2 says, it was the joy ahead of Jesus that helped Him endure the shame, pain, and disgrace of dying on the cross. He loved mankind, and He knew that going through the suffering, death, and resurrection would give man the freedom, liberty, needed to be reconciled with God. He also knew that He would be elevated to sit at the night hand of God the father.
What should motivate us as Christians to endure the trials and temptations that come our way? Sometimes we face persecution and ridicule as well.
The bible says in Revelations 2: 10 that
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.
If we want to receive the crown of life then we must endure hardship.
Let’s look up to Jesus to help us endure.
Hebrews 12 : 3
Even Jesus, who is the only begotten Son of God, with much power and authority, humbled Himself and received inhuman treatment from people God had created. The Creator suffering at the hands of its creation.
Think of what Jesus did and let it encourage you and help you not faint in your mind or give up.
Hebrews 12: 4
Verse 4 says we have not resisted to the point of shedding blood like Jesus did. Therefore, we should not complain so much about our trials and temptations. God will help us overcome them. When we feel weak and helpless we should pray and ask God for strength.
2 Corinthians 12:9 sys
And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
It is when we accept our weakness that God’s power or strength is made perfect in our lives.
Hebrews 12: 5 – 7
These three verses assure us that the trials and temptations are not to destroy us but make us better. A father corrects his Son because he loves him God wants the best for us just as a good father wants for his son.
James 1: 2 – 4 says
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.
Conclusion
Do not let your trials and temptations steal your joy. Keep your eyes on Jesus, consider what He suffered, and think of how you will become a better person after all the challenges.
Stay on course and do not give up, so you can receive the crown of life.
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