Looking to Jesus

By Jared Green     The Letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were struggling in their faith. Dealing with oppression from those around them, some of these Christians were considering leaving their faith in Jesus and returning to the familiar, more comfortable religion of Judaism. Using evidence from the whole of Scripture, the letter’s author makes the case that Jesus is superior. Jesus is supreme over the angels (chapter 1), he is the founder of salvation (chapter 2), he is greater than Moses (chapter 3), he is the great high priest (chapters 4-9), and his once for all sacrifice offers true forgiveness (chapter 10).      Following the in-depth, doctrinal evidence concerning the superiority of Jesus, the author makes a plea for faithfulness that begins by pointing to the faith of Old Testament spiritual heroes such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and more. Following this list of faithful men and women, the author makes what is, in my opinion, the letter’s greatest appeal to faithfulness.      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, 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 12:1-2).     As the author argues, there is no better example of faithfulness amid trial than that of Jesus Christ. When faced with the most shameful, humiliating, and painful death imaginable, Jesus endured the cross. He was able to endure “for the joy that was set before him,” and because he endured, he is now “seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus endured because of the hope and joy of the future, and because of his faithful endurance, we have been offered salvation. Amidst life’s trials, may we always look to Jesus as our supreme example. As the author goes on to say, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:3). God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com