WORDS OF VICTORY
Looking unto Jesus
February 14, 2015

From the Pastor's Keyboard:
     There are some messages that God gives to a preacher that become special to him. Some will stand out more than others. Of all the messages I have preached over the past twenty or so years, a handful are special. Some I remember because God blessed their delivery and people were helped; others stand out because of the circumstances surrounding their preparation; others helped me during their preparation (seemingly) more than those to whom they were preached. I was given one such message about 15 years ago. It was from Hebrews 12:2, and the title was simply “Looking unto Jesus.” That verse has so stuck with me that, to this day, I still write it as part of my signature. Time has no hold on the truths found in the Scriptures, and this verse still is a well-spring of water to those of us who will stop long enough to sit down and drink.
The outline I preached back then was very simple. First there is the Look of Salvation – only those who look to Christ alone are saved. Second there is the Look of Satisfaction – God saw the travail of Christ’s soul and was satisfied, and because of this I ought to be as well. Third there is a Look of Security – when our eyes are fixed upon Him we realize our perfect salvation and our eternal security in His finished work. It doesn’t sound like a fancy outline, but it was good food for my soul. When studying for that message I came across a pamphlet by an old Puritan writer, whose name I can’t recall, that said that the first three words of Hebrews 12:2 were the secret of the Christian life. I’m not sure that I would use that exact terminology, but there certainly is a lot of truth to that statement. Looking inside is so depressing. There is indwelling sin, our failures, our pride, and a host of other faults we could mention. As an ugly man doesn’t like to look at his reflection in the mirror, so does the child of God not like to look inward to the corruption that is inherent by our first birth. But to the child of God, the best look is ever outward and upward, away from self and all toward Christ. It is here where we “read our title clear,” as it were, and find rest for our souls. The only hope for the child of God is Christ, and it would do us well to fasten our eyes toward Him continually. Solomon tells us that He “is altogether lovely,” and those who love God and are acquainted with Christ would offer a hearty Amen to that. Unfortunately, our eyes are too often drawn away – not pried away – by the attractions of this world. Fleeting pleasures and comforts dictate our attention. We look toward other things, find a bit of temporal happiness, then are saddened by its departure. But that is the way of life in this mortal body. God tells us to lay up treasures in heaven, to set our affections on things above, to live where we are already seated in the heavenly places in Christ. Yet we deceive ourselves into temporary contentment when we take our eyes off of Christ. I would urge everyone who reads this to turn anew to Hebrews 12 and to read especially the first few verses. The Lord Jesus gave His life, endured great contradiction of sinners against Himself, and He did this to fulfill His Father’s will in His love for us. Christ deserves every bit of our attention, and our focus needs to be on Him. The longer He is in our focus, our meditation moves to His love, His sufficient sacrifice, His finished work, and High Priestly intercession. Read that second verse again and realize that God has told us the type of vision we are to cast. Would you, with me, turn your eyes upon Jesus this moment? The things of earth will certainly glow strangely dim as we gaze upon Him who gave Himself for us.


     With love and gratitude,
     Pastor John Nichols

Archives