"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."

This verse gives us encouragement as Christians to keep our eyes centered on Jesus. He begins and completes our faith. The word "looking" means to consider carefully and attentively. On a foggy night last year, I can remember driving home in the dark. It was almost impossible to see. However, the white line in the center of the road was just barely visible. I can remember how thankful I was for that line. When we walk in a world filled with darkness, how we need to keep our eyes on the Light that overcomes the darkness, the Lord Jesus Christ. We look to Him for:

SALVATION
He is the "Author" of our faith.

The beginning of the Christian faith is Jesus. He alone is the reason we call ourselves Christians, or followers of Christ. We should not be looking at denominations or creeds or ordinances, regardless of how good they are. We are to keep our eyes on a person. Jesus is what makes the Christian faith different from all others. Other religions say do and live. Jesus says, I have done what was impossible for you to do. Look to Me and live. I trust that you know Him as your personal Savior. We also look to Him for

SANCTIFICATION
He is the "Finisher" of our faith.

When we turn our lives over to Jesus, He begins a work in us that lasts for eternity. The word sanctify means to set apart. Jesus makes us new creations (2 Cor 5:17), places us in His family (John 1:12), gives us all His spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3), and seals us with His Holy Spirit of promise (Eph 4:30), until he comes to take us to be with Himself. Indeed we look to Him for all things. The word "finish" implies a state of completeness or perfection. In Jesus there is complete assurance. Paul put it this way, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ "(Phil 1:6) Along with Salvation and Sanctification, we look to Jesus for:

SIN-SACRIFICE
He "endured the cross.."

Some are of the opinion that Christianity is following Jesus as an example. While that has some truth to it, the main reason we must look to Jesus is because of our sin. We are all sinners (Rom 3:23) under the condemnation of death (Rom 6:23), our only hope is the One who took our place and died for our sin. (2 Cor 5:21). No one can call themselves a Christian unless they have identified with Jesus as their sin-bearer. Peter said, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Have you turned your sins over to Jesus? This verse also says we look to Jesus for:

SATISFACTION
He "sat down on the right hand of God"

The work necessary for our complete deliverance has been accomplished by Jesus. We can add nothing to it and we dare not take anything away. The emphasis here is not that we are satisfied, but God the Father is satisfied. The work is complete. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Heb 10:14)

C. H. Spurgeon referring to Jesus in his book, All of Grace said, "Think more of Him to whom you look than of the look itself. You must look away even from your own looking and see nothing but Jesus and the grace of God revealed in Him." May God help all of us to keep our focus on Jesus. God bless.