Hebrews 12:2 NIV
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Whether physically, spiritually, or figuratively, our eyes play a crucial role in governing the state and affairs of our physical and spiritual lives. Through eyes (in the broader context), the entrance of the light of day, perception, and divine insight casts out the darkness of night, ignorance, and ungodly living (Eph 4). Could that be one of the reasons why God called “light” into existence as the very first thing at the Creation (Gen 1:3)? Throughout the Scriptures, the use of one’s physical or spiritual eyes is seen to have a big bearing on their relationship with God on the one hand, and their progress in their God-given assignments on the other.
At the earliest occasion, for instance, when God had blessed Adam (Gen 1:28), He said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food” (Gen 1:29 NKJV). Certainly, Adam’s next courses of action in stewarding the Garden must have been guided by what and how he saw what God had given him. Whether physically or figuratively, it was the fact that Lot’s wife “looked back” (Gen 19:26 NIV) that sealed her fate. Again, all was going well as Peter miraculously walked on water until he “…saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink” (Mat 14:30 NLT).
The stated examples help us understand more deeply why Scripture strongly urges us to “fix our eyes on Jesus”, as in our text of reference. Doing so not only keeps our spiritual focus straight, but we also receive divine insight about the things we ought to do in honour of God. We become more yielded to obey God’s commands, and we are guarded against fear and doubt when doing what God says, among other benefits. No wonder, the man Job came to an important point in his life and said, “I have made a covenant (agreement) with my eyes…” (Job 31:1 AMP). May what we see, how we see, and who we look at be “…enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit]” (Eph 1:18 AMP) at all times.
Pst. Emmanuel
