Hebrews 12:2 AMP
[2] [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
The verse above charges us to look away from all that will distract us. This tells me that the default setting of the natural man is to be engaged in many things, and not that one very important thing. The world seeks to give us several options, and seeks to keep us focused on things that look 'legitimate' but are also distracting us at the same time. It is very important to take care of our families, as well as the needy around us, but it must never be at the expense of a living, breathing, healthy relationship with this Jesus. As we go through life, earthly pursuits and priorities will change in line with our age and health, but the one thing that will not change is our need for God.
The verse above does not leave us clueless. It tells us what to avoid, and what to focus on. It tells us to look away from all that will distract and to focus our eyes on Jesus. Focus is 'the act of concentrating full attention, effort, or energy on one specific task, object, or person while filtering out distractions'. It takes all or full attention; as long as there is shared attention, it is not focus. It is clear that we will not be able to do this without help, and that is why Jesus offers us Himself as the Source of all that we need, and the end-goal of our faith. He is the One who births our salvation, and He is the One in whom we find purpose, direction, and fulfilment.
If someone is both the Author and Perfecter of faith, it means that He is also responsible for alll that happens between start and end. He does not have a great start and a terrible end. He did not come to the earth in human form, and then avoid the walk of shame that led to my salvation. He went all the way by standing in my place, taking on my guilt and shame, and even suffering the rejection of His Father as He hung on the cross. You do not do these things unless you know the value and purpose behind the pain. Jesus knew the pain that was coming, but He also knew the joy that was ahead. He kept His eye on the prize, which were the lives that would come and put their trust in Him.
The joy ahead made the cross worth it. The cross brought shame, but it was the pathway to the glory that was ahead. He already had glory, but there was no way to describe the glory that would be made manifest in mortal man. Picture a mortal man being the carrier of an immortal God. Picture an immortal God, who brought Himself down to the level of mortal man, so He could bring mortal man to realms of glory beyond man's understanding. All of these were made possible by the focus of this Jesus. He has finished the work of the cross, and He is still working to bring to completion the work He has started. Have you met this Jesus? God's time of favour is here.
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