Focus on Jesus

I first got reading glasses when I was studying Hebrew in graduate school. It put quite a strain on my eyes, but I only needed reading glasses. My vision was still considered 20/20. However, a few years ago I noticed I was having trouble seeing things on the computer screen, reading my small print Bible, and even making out street signs. So, I made an appointment with the eye doctor. He said I needed progressive lenses. Progressive lenses are at the top of my list of things that will humble you. Thankfully, they help me to see.

Focusing on Jesus helps us to see the world more clearly. Focusing on Jesus helps us to have an eternal perspective. Focusing on Jesus helps us to live life as it is meant to be lived. Focusing on Jesus helps us bear up under the pressures of life. Focusing on Jesus helps us to become more like Him.

The writer to the Hebrews urged those struggling Christians to stay focused on Jesus in Hebrews 12:2-3,  “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

In God’s great scheme of redemption, He gave His very best. He sent the One who helped Him create the world.

John 1:1-5; 14

Jesus is the Word, the conduit of creation, the Light that shines in the darkness and He came down to pitch his tents with us. He is full of grace and truth. The world needs Jesus. He offers life. He offers grace. He is the Truth.

John 3:16-17 (People in the world are deceived for various reasons as to who Jesus is, but one thing is for sure He has come to save us and not to condemn us. He wants to save us from ourselves most of all).

John 8:12 (The Light of life…amazing…beautiful)

John 14:6 He declares this about Himself. “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Jesus took on flesh in the form of a baby, lived a perfect life, declaring the truths of God, went to the cross to die, was buried in a borrowed tomb, rose again three days later, and weeks later returned to sit at God’s right hand to make intercession for us.

Paul declares boldly in Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Philippians 1:21 (Paul declares, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”)

In Colossians 1:13-20, Paul spells out exactly who Jesus is and what He means to us.

Colossians 3:1-4. If we have been raised with Christ (this is a clear reference to baptism in Colossians 2) then our focus should be on the things above, not on the temporal things here. Why? Because that is where Christ is…He is our focus. Now, that doesn’t mean that we turn all of our attention to the reward of Heaven, but instead to the will and desires of Christ. Paul explains it so:

• We have died and have no more agendas
• Our focus should be on living for Him every day. The Bible is clear about how we should live. (The Greatest Commands)
• Christ is our life. Christ is our life. Christ is our life.
• Our lives are to be hidden in Him. He will reveal Himself again and we will share in His glory.

Focusing on Jesus helps us to see the world more clearly. Focusing on Jesus helps us to have an eternal perspective. Focusing on Jesus helps us to live life as it is meant to be lived. Focusing on Jesus helps us bear up under the pressures of life. Focusing on Jesus helps us to become more like Him.