“By Faith Abraham, when called to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went…made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country…for he was looking forward to the city whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26)
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2)
A Key characteristic of faith is being able to keep our eyes on the goal that is set before us. The eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews is known as the faith chapter because it opens with a definition of faith and then lists examples of those who have lived it out. Some were called to go to unknown places while others were led to give up positions of privilege and power. Many of the stories involve believers who endured great suffering in the name of the Lord. But all of them, whatever the circumstances, were called to an “inconvenient” obedience. Faith tends to take us from the comforts of the “known” into the “unseen” and unexpected. The very definition of faith is a willingness to see past the temporary things of this world and focus on the goal that God has set before us.
Abraham was able to get up and move without knowing exactly where he was going. He was willing to live in tents his whole life as a stranger in a foreign land because his eyes were on something greater…eternal…the Kingdom of God. Moses was willing to give up his position in Pharaoh’s palace, endure disgrace and be exiled for the sake of God and His Kingdom. Why? Because he had his heart set on the rewards to come rather than the temporary pleasures of this world.
For us, during this time of lent, we look to the obedience of Jesus that takes Him from the comfort and security of a prayer garden to the noisy cries of a blood thirsty mob. Jesus has prayed and it has been confirmed that this is the will of the Father. With the same determination we saw in Abraham and Moses, Jesus leaves the comforts of this world for the sake of the world “unseen”…the Kingdom. The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus was able to endure all this “for the joy set before Him”.
As we follow Jesus through the narrow streets of Jerusalem we will find it hard to find joy. Jesus was dragged from place to place like a lamb being led to the slaughter. “For the joy set before Him..”? Jesus was able to look past the suffering and shame of the cross and see the joy that comes only when we faithfully follow the Father’s will.
Where is your faith? What is it that you have your eyes fixed on? Is it the temporary pleasures of this world or, maybe, your own ambitions and goals? The verses above give us specific instructions…”Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”! This is the faith that allows you to face every day with purpose and meaning…no matter what comes your way.