Thursday, May 24, 2012

Jesus Alone


Not long ago a friend told me that abortion was the most important issue.  I do agree that abortion is an important issue, one that needs to be addressed.  However, I do not agree that it is the most important issue.  The most important issue remains Jesus.  What will you do with Jesus?  The writer to the Hebrews tells us to “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” 

Consider Him, for in these last days God has spoken to us by His Son, this same Jesus, who is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person.  If you want to know the Father, consider His Son.  If you want to know what the Father has to say, consider His Son.  Consider this One who is “counted worthy of more glory than Moses” for He not only built the house, “whose house we are,” but He also built all things.

Later in Hebrews, we are told to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,” and to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  The most important part of this admonition found in Hebrews 12 is our focus.  We are to look “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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Look unto Jesus.  He authored our faith and He finished our faith.  Nothing needs to be added.  We are not admonished to look to anything else.  We are admonished to focus on Him.  Consider Him.  What happens when a runner takes his focus off the finish line, when he glances, even for a second, on others in the race?  When we take our eyes off Jesus, we are slowed up and sometimes even driven off course.   

Paul tells us to run in such a way that you may obtain the prize.  Do not run with uncertainty.  Discipline your body and bring it into subjection, lest you become disqualified.  (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)  How does one run with certainty?  How does one obtain the prize?  Simply look to Jesus.  “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  (Proverbs 3:6)  Consider Him alone and obtain the prize of an imperishable crown.  He is our reward.  Jesus alone.