Hebrews Eleven speaks of many heroes of the faith who walked with God during difficult times. But chapter 12 switches to Believers today… “Wherefore, seeing we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising (lit: slighting) the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1,2).
Keeping our focus, when evil is all around us, is vital. Peter walked on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus, focusing instead on the size of the waves and the power of the wind. We must not allow ourselves to get distracted and take our eyes off Christ.
As the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus kept His focus on the mission of saving us, which is described as “the joy set before Him.” Nothing took His eyes from His goal… “I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to those that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting… but I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed” (Isaiah 50:6,7).
Here we are at the end of the Age of Grace. The mockers have trampled the Son of God, profaned His precious blood that would have secured their eternal good, and insulted the Spirit who offers grace. They have boasted that their stated goal to “shame” Christians is achieved. They’re wrong.
That very night thousands of Christians filled the street to sing His praises. And we will continue to “despise (slight; disesteem) their shame” by keeping our eyes on the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. Even now, Jesus is rising from His throne, cloaked in royal apparel, fastening His sword on His thigh, preparing to ride. His words still echo in the air… “They shall never be ashamed who wait for Me.”
Don’t take your eyes off Jesus. Joy awaits.
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