We are going through a mini-bible study of sorts in Hebrews 12:1-3. You might want to open your bible up to have a look. I have asked the question “What does God want ME to do?” as I look at this passage.

We are in part 2. Part 1 was yesterday’s blog entry.

Action #1:  (vs 2) Let

What are we to “let?” Us!

Think about this for a minute. I thought of skipping the “let us” of this verse, but then I realized that when we are encouraged to “let” there is something implied. It is as if there is something in the way of the action that needs to be removed. I think this points us back to verse 1–the things that hinder and the sin that entangles, perhaps. In other words, once I have thrown off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, I am freed up to do the “let” mentioned in verse 2.

Apply: Have you done the throwing off of what hinders? Have you intentionally tossed aside the sin that entangles? It is intriguing to note that back in verse one, sin “so easily entangles.” We don’t have to work at being hung up or caught up. So it stands to reason…those things have to be removed before we can do what comes next in verse 2.

Action #2: (vs. 2) “Fix our eyes”

Upon what are we to “fix our eyes?”  JESUS!

What are things you tend to fix your eyes on routinely? When it comes to the area of food, eating, my body, etc., the answer for me can be: the bathroom scale, compliments from my friends, my clothing to see if it fits better or is looser, the food, hunger and coveting a chance to be hungry and eat again, the mirror, etc., etc. We have to be willing to choose instead to fix our eyes on Jesus.

This may sound like it is something silly, but consider for a minute other similar verses:

 ¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, 

set your hearts on things above, 

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 

³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 

– Colossians 3:1-3

¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles 

are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  

¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, 

but on what is unseen. 

For what is seen is temporary, 

but what is unseen is eternal.

– 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

We have a choice about what we will gaze upon or think about. In our passage in Hebrews 12:1-3, we are exhorted that, while we run with perseverance the race that is before us, we will do well to fix our eyes on Jesus. Let us press on to chase hard after him. Another verse that comes to mind is this:

¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, 

or have already been made perfect, 

but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 

¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind 

and straining toward what is ahead, 

¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which 

God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

– Philippians 3:12-14

Part of running this race is choosing upon what my mind, thoughts, gaze will dwell. Will it be food? Will it be my next hunger so I can eagerly (if not greedily) eat? Will it be my weight? My clothing? How I look? These things have one thing in common…ME.

These verses all challenge me to choose another focus entirely…JESUS, His will, His way, His beauty, eternal things. These things are to be our focus. As we run this race, as we choose to surrender our desires to Him, he alone is to be the focus that drives us onward.

Apply: What are things that you tend to focus on that might keep you from focusing on Jesus? What can you do to be intentional about fixing your eyes on Jesus?