Christ: The Treasure of Our HeartsSample

We cannot get the deep meaning of a Bible verse without its context. The chapter starts with a cloud of witnesses mentioned in chapter 11, who performed incredible miracles by faith and obedience and endured all kinds of sufferings—"They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground” (11:37-38). After these clouds of witnesses, the author of Hebrew came to the climax of a witness and an example of enduring suffering for the joy ahead of him, and said, “let us fix our eyes on Jesus.” He is a perfect example of perseverance to look at when we think of “the race marked out for us.” He endured insult, rejection, hunger, thirst, homelessness, whipping, and crucifixion for the joy set ahead of him.

Christ never taught and lived a short-cut lifestyle and instant gratification. Patience, endurance, and sacrificial services are the marks of his leadership. Despite all the challenges he faced, he pressed on toward the mark because he knew that the ultimate goal of his destiny was not shame but a victorious joy. I hope you will follow his example and not quit. In this broken world, challenges come in various ways—through sickness, accidents, hurricanes, job loss, death of a family member, etc. At times like these moments, fix your eyes on Jesus. He is a great comforter and has a joy that no one or nothing can take from you for eternity.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who became one of us in enduring shame and suffering to set us free from the bondage of sin and evil that wants to ruin the flourishing life you want me to have. Grant me courage when I tremble in fear, wisdom when I get confused, hope when my present and future look dark, and joy when my soul is stricken with disappointment and grief. Give me faith to trust you in all of my circumstances and follow you until I see you face-to-face. Amen.

Alex Mekonnen, Ph.D., serves as a professor for the Regent University School of Divinity.