Fix Our Eyes On Jesus.

This fall, I am teaching a class on Wednesday nights called "genuineJESUS" (the title and most of the content are adaptations of Mark Driscoll's book and sermon series Vintage Jesus). In the class, we are looking deeply into the what the Bible says about who Jesus genuinely is, what Jesus genuinely has done, is doing, and will do, and what Jesus genuinely taught, modeled, and prayed for, during His earthly ministry.

One key idea and discipline I encourage the class to engage in each day is, "fixing our eyes upon Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). To "fix our eyes on Jesus," means to consistently focus and re-focus our minds and hearts on what Scripture tells us about Who Jesus is, what He has done, is doing, and will one day do, and who we are, by grace, through faith in Him as a result. I have become convinced that we cannot over-utilize this practice - Jesus is infinitely beautiful, majestic, and wonderful; He is genuinely capable of captivating our thoughts, emotions, and affections.

Here is a great word-picture of Who Jesus is and what He has done, is doing and will do, and how we should respond:

Christ Jesus was God's dear Son. He made all things - sun, moon, and stars, men and angels. he was from all eternity in the bosom of the Father, and yet He came into the world. He did not say, "I will keep my throne and my happiness, and leave sinners to die and perish in their sins." No; "He came into the world." He became "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." He bore our sins upon His own body on the tree. While we were sinners, "Christ died for us." Why did He do all this? Ah! it was to save sinners. Not to save good people - not to save angels - but sinners. Perhaps you will say, "But I am too bad a sinner;" but Paul says, "of whom I am the chief." Paul was the chief of sinners, and yet he was saved by Christ. So Christ is willing and able to save you, though you were the chief sinner on the face of the earth.

Have you not lived long enough in pleasure? Come and try the pleasures of Christ - forgiveness and a new heart...the feeling that God loves me - that Christ has washed - and in feeling that I should be in heaven... - Robert Murray M'Cheyne.

Come, try the pleasures of Christ - fix your "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. Consider him, who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3)