Ignore

I’m sure you’ve noticed the world running around with it’s hair on fire. Have you also noticed the lack of faith in believers as well? How about you? How are you doing with all of this craziness? Seems randomly strategic doesn’t it? Like it’s the common course of the age or something? Even a novice in scripture knows the moments before the calling away of saints will be marked by this form of controlled chaos. What we seem to forget is, the church is supposed to be the ‘safe’ zone for our chaos. It is supposed to be the one place we can land and not seem so crazy. Jesus spoke of how upside down it would be in this age we live in. He mentioned that people will think those who have their head straight, will be considered backward, and those who are defiling their minds and hearts, are considered wise. The course of this world is at direct odds with the God who create them, in every possible way. There is not one subject not tainted with sin, with man’s hand, with vainness. It is hard for all, confusing for most, and depressing for some. What do we do?

Glad you asked. In Hebrews 12.2 we find our answer. It says— “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 set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” There is a lot to unpack just in this verse, but let me hit just the highlights of the text and verse for you today and hopefully this will help you and I to know what to do in our present environment. I plan to do so with a series of questions drawn from the verse.

First question: Where are your eyes focused? It clearly says— “Looking unto Jesus…” He is our focus, at least He should be. When we have our eyes on the chaos and the results it brings in the lives of people, we depress our spiritual senses. The word for “looking” here means to ‘look away’. It was used by Greeks to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something. We have to ignore the things going on and fix our eyes on Jesus. This cuts against our political and social leanings doesn’t it? We do not like to be ignorant of the situation. We tend to trust the one you’re looking at, focusing on. What are you focusing on… people, politics, etc? Stop. Ignore the ‘things’ and put your eyes on Him. 

Second Question: How do you focus on Jesus? His word. The example given within this verse and the next few are the examples we find in scripture. Study Jesus. Yes, it’s that simple. Use Him as an example to follow. What did He do, where did He go, with who did He go with, and how did He do what He did? This verse and the next use the extreme example of the brutal trials, mocking and cross. He was strengthened by Grace and you can be too. Simply start by reading the book of John and focus your eyes on what Jesus said, did, and why. He proves it can be done. 

Third Question: Do you trust Him? The verse says— “…the author and finisher of faith…” This makes Him our example, captain, and originator. The words “author” and “finisher” can also be said as: ‘founder’ and ‘perfecter’. Who did you trust to bring you into eternal salvation? Was it Jesus or religion? Was it half Jesus and half you? Or, was it all Jesus? Didn’t He do it all? Didn’t He originate faith in you? Then can He not perfect it in you now? Let me get this straight… we trust Him for our eternal soul, but not our life?! I trust that He who began this faith in me, will carry it to the very end, safely home (Philippians 1.6).

Fourth Question: Are you more excited about here or there? Heaven and Earth are two totally different places, for sure! Is Heaven and our reward more appetizing to you, or the things of this messed-up world? Jesus did what He did for the “joy” of victory. His temporary suffering that He endured is so much more that anything that I have to face here. He endured the temporary for eternal victory. He determined to conquer death, and this was simply an obstacle to cross, to reach the goal. Thank you Jesus! 

Fifth Question: Why do we not think this way? The answer is the answer to the other questions, in order. We are distracted with all of the things of this present world, training-in and discussions of the things of this life, instead of focusing and studying Him. We trust ourselves and our norms more than the God who saved us. We are enticed to pay attention to this nasty world more than our hope awaiting us in Heaven. 

Jesus did what He did for lost, broken, contrary sinners like you and me. He lived on this earth for the short span of 33 years, to die a horrible death. He did so for you, for me, and our neighbor. He determined to finish the task in a God honoring and obeying way. He knew what was on the other side and He knew full well what it would take. He chose to focus His eyes, and so should we. 

We are ‘in for it’ while we are here. People stuck in this world system (saved and unsaved) are not easy to deal with. Look to Jesus for our example. “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12.3). There you have it— we “faint in our minds” all the time. I want to tell you, we can do this by the grace of God. Depend on that grace and not yourself. Let God use you in this present world, and be a light. I know it’s hard, He knows it’s hard, you know it’s hard. We need not weaken in the home stretch, instead let us consider the end of our faith— heaven, glory, perfection, eternity, and most importantly, Jesus.

“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 set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”