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. – Hebrews 12:2
The oldest Christian monastery in the world is St. Catherine’s in the Sinai, Egypt. It dates back seventeen centuries and is believed to have been constructed in the place where God appeared to Moses in the burning bush. It has been continually inhabited since sometime between 548 and 565. Among the many artifacts, it holds the oldest known icon of “Christ Pantokrator” (which literally means “ruler of all”) that comes from the same time period. The millions who have visited the monastery and seen this icon are all struck by one thing… the strangeness of the eyes of Jesus. Indeed, the artist made it appear as if one eye is looking at the viewer in the present, while his other eye is gazing into the far distance—into Heaven and the joys set before Him.
In discussing today’s portion from Hebrews, the Wycliffe Bible Commentary says, “The reward for Christ’s endurance is the position of authority and his occupation thereof. In this position his joy is complete, and so will our joy be complete when we are in his presence before God. At God’s right hand Christ performs all the functions of ruler, high priest, and advocate, yet he came to that place through suffering and endurance, i.e., by way of the cross.”
Look to Jesus, as today’s verse says. When you magnify Him, you are less focused on yourself and more intentional about running the race He has set before you. It could be that you have to endure great suffering and pain. Theologian John Piper said, “If you see things with the eyes of God, there is a vapor’s breath of loss and pain, and then everlasting joy.” Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He never stops looking at you! Pray for followers of Christ in the nation’s judiciary to maintain God’s perspective.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 12:2
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 27:45-54
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
