When you run a race, you must be sure that you run in the right direction. Before you begin you must face in the right direction, and then constantly have the goal in mind. Therefore, our running the race set before us with patience is presented thus in Hebrews 12:2 : "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."
Plainly we are running to where Christ is. That is why we must look unto Him. For He reached heavenly glory and is at God's right hand, which is the glory set before Him. We are running in order to get there and live with Him. That is the end of the race. That is the prize which He won for us through the cross.
Looking then to Christ is looking away from the things which Satan through his servants tries to get us to stop for and to enjoy with our sinful flesh. These things are all along the path on which we must run. The path is narrow and the temptations are close. Christ went straight ahead and never wavered. Thus we also, despising shame -- for the ungodly will laugh at us and torment us and call us fools -- must heed that call to look at Christ and what He realized for us.
There were allurements in that day, there are today, and there will be much more severely so in the days that lie ahead. They will be far more serious and subtle. If we do not look at Christ and at His holy walk while He was here on this earth, and do not look at His cross, we will stop running, or run to the left or right for satisfaction of our flesh. And then we will never reach that glory which Christ earned only for those who run the race faithfully.
Look unto our Savior, the author and finisher of our faith.
Read: Hebrews 2
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
2 Chronicles 33:14-25 ; 2 Chronicles 34:1-33
Romans 16:10-27
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 20:19
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Quote for Reflection:
The primary rudiments by which we are wont to train to piety those whom we wish to gain as disciples to Christ are these; viz., not to frame any new worship of God for themselves at random, and after their own pleasure, but to know that the only legitimate worship is that which He Himself approved from the beginning. For we maintain what the sacred oracle declared, that obedience is more excellent than any sacrifice (I Samuel 15:22 ). In short, we train them by every means to be contented with one rule of worship which they have received from His mouth, and bid adieu to all fictitious worship. – John Calvin to Sadoleto
Additional Info
- Date: 3-August
