The Author and Perfecter of Faith: Hebrews 12:2-3
“2) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3) For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3
Herein lies the key to a life of faith. It doesn’t fix its focus on the trial, obstacle or need; rather it fixes its eyes on Jesus. If you look at the trial, you will fail just like Peter did when he took his eyes off from Jesus and started looking at the storm. (Matthew 14:28-31) He was walking on the water so long as He was focused on Jesus. The moment his focus was interrupted, he began to sink. Faith was replaced with fear and doubt.
Notice that the writer of the book of Hebrews says that Jesus is “the author and perfecter of faith.” He wrote the book on living by faith! Study the four Gospels.
How did He endure the cross? He did it by focusing on the Father. He looked at to joy set before Him on the others side of the resurrection. He was about to be seated at the right hand of the throne of God. He was about to redeem humanity from sin and Satan. He was about to bring many people to glory. He was about to tear down the dividing wall between God and man.
It was not easy. Matthew 26:36-46 tells of his battle in the Garden of Gethsemane. This time of prayer switched His focus from the pain and shame of the cross to the glory of the Father. He entered Gethsemane focus on the cross that awaited Him (Vs 39), He emerged from Gethsemane focuses on the will of His Father. (Vs 42) Changing His focus moved Him from fear to faith. In the process, He perfected the walk of faith.
Verse 3 comes back and says “consider Him who endured such hostility of sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.” Don’t focus on your trials or your critics, rather focus relentlessly on Jesus and His will for you. Don’t focus on your success or your accomplishments, rather focus on Jesus and His glory. Momentum stops the moment you take your eyes off from Jesus. Faith ends the moment we think we’ve arrived. Don’t let anything or anyone displace Jesus as your focus!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
