Look!

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 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. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

KJV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

NIV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

ESV

What does it mean to look? That, I guess, would depend on what you are looking at? If you are looking at the television you might not be "seeing" what is really going on in front of your eyes, 'cause you are just escaping. You are looking, but not seeing. If you are looking for a lost child then the verb to look would take on a whole new meaning. Or think about the first time you saw the face of your new born baby. You then are looking at the most beautiful sight you have ever seen, that is a different kind of looking. Looking intently you stare at her face noticing every precious wrinkle, pudge, and sculpted lash. On your wedding day you look beseechingly into your groom's face, particularly his eyes, anticipating a lifetime of dreams, memories, and hidden desires that are also only focused on the face of your beloved.

So, what does it mean to "look" unto Jesus? Think about the infant, your child. Think about the groom, your own beloved. How do you look at them, in those precious moments of life? We look at them and "see" so much more than just is visually before us. We see potential, anticipate a future, and can "see" great things (Jer. 29:11). We see a future and a hope. That kind of seeing is culminated in faith. Faith that the future will be filled with hope. Hope for the child we first hold in our arms. Faith that they will fulfill their dreams, love , and walk with Jesus. Hope that the gaze of the beloved, the gaze he has for you, and the one your have for him will be completely realized, with a future, full of dreams fulfilled. Some people might say that their child or their spouse completely fulfilled their anticipated looks, that they were never disappointed, not so me. All my children, one way or the other or one time and another, has disappointed me. Ken too! I have disappointed them over and over as well. We live in a fallen world where disappointment reigns supreme. The only one when we look at them we are never disappointed, is Christ.

Remember back when you first realized who Jesus was? Oh the love, the caring the sacrifice that He paid for you. You looked at Him with faith, anticipating, maybe for the first time a future and a hope. A future full of promises fulfilled. Maybe you are feeling that He has let you down, or not lived up to that first gaze. He who once held your gaze. Life hasn't treated you so good, pain fills your heart, there is no hope you say. The apostle who wrote the words above, would never have commanded us to look if it were automatic. The context is speaking of sin. Think about sin as the cataract on the lens of your spiritual eyes as you try to look unto Jesus. The eyes of our hearts will always have some film on them, because sin blocks our vision. But, looking unto Jesus can be done, through His Word. Are we looking at ourselves in the mirror of the Word and walking away forgetting what we looked like? I do this everyday. I look a whole lot better than.......husband, children, friend. My self righteousness clouds how I look to Jesus. Continually let His Word saturate your mind, and heart. Evaluate what takes up your gaze most of the time. Confess, and Look! You might just be surprised at what you see.

Confessing today and looking too.................................Lynn