Keep your eyes on Jesus, who began your faith and will complete it.
“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.”Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
What does “Focus” mean in Hebrews 12:2?
The word author translates the Greek archegos, which means a pioneer or leader who goes first. Finisher, teleiotes, means the one who brings something to completion.
Going deeper
Hebrews 12 opens with a picture of a race, and the writer urges believers to run with endurance. The instruction for the runner is to keep looking at Jesus. He is described as the one who started our faith and who will finish it, and that means we are not carrying the responsibility alone. He went ahead of us, and He endured the cross because of the joy that was set before Him.
Where our eyes go usually determines where our feet go. A runner who keeps looking at the crowd or the ground loses stride. In these first days of a new year, many of us are looking at our to-do lists or our fears. Try shifting your focus. Begin each day by turning your attention to Christ in prayer, even for a minute. He is the pioneer who has already run the course, and He is the finisher who will bring your faith to its goal.
Reflect
What has been drawing your eyes away from Jesus, and how can you turn back?
Pray
Jesus, author and finisher of my faith, keep my eyes on You. Help me to run with endurance and to trust You to bring me home. In Jesus' name, amen.
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