“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

We are commanded to be looking unto Jesus. Consider the meaning of the term “look”: to fix attention on, to look intently toward a distant object. Metaphorically, it means to behold in the mind, to fix the mind upon. The term “look” implies something far more significant than a mere passing glance. It is a look in which the runner is focused – even fixated upon Christ… looking intently. The mind is completely concentrated upon this object, in this case, Christ. This is not a description of a wandering mind that drifts and meanders from one object to the next… inattentive and unfocused. This term implies a clearheaded, concentrated gaze. It is a look that isn’t distracted by all the “things” going on in the background. We are to be looking unto (fixing our attention upon) Jesus as we run the race.

Consider the grammar. The main verb (“let us run”) is followed by a present participle (“looking”). This construction indicates that this action of “looking” takes place concurrently with the action of the main verb “run.” In other words, the running and the looking occur simultaneously. We are to be looking as we run. We are to be running as we look. The command is to keep on running the race with patience and to keep on looking as you run. The implication here is that the look enables the run… the look motivates the run… the look empowers the runner to keep on running with patience. There is a definite connection between looking and running.

On what object should we focus our eyes AS we run? On Jesus! And keep in mind, that the Jesus we focus upon is not the carpenter of Galilee… not the earthly Jesus who lived under the Mosaic Law and offered the Kingdom to Israel. No, we are to focus on the RISEN Savior… the Jesus who has already purged us from our sins and is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. We are to be looking at Jesus, our Great High Priest who ministers to us continuously from the heavenly sanctuary, and who ever lives to make intercession for us. We are to be looking to the Jesus at the throne of grace who provides grace to help in time of need. We are to be looking unto the Jesus who is the Glorified God-Man, who already has tread the path we trod, and who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities.

We are to be looking unto Jesus our Judge who rewards us at the Bema seat – not the Judge who at the Great White Throne judgment condemns all to Hell. (That would hardly be motivation to run the race with patience!) We look to the Jesus who has already judged our sins on the cross by BEARING them and paying the penalty in full… and who has TAKEN AWAY our sins. We look to Jesus the Judge at the Bema seat who encourages us to continue running that He might give us a CROWN and say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (THAT is motivation to keep on running.)

As new creatures in Christ (II Cor. 5:16-17) raised into heavenly places in Christ Jesus, we no longer know Jesus “after the flesh” (in His earthly condition as described in the gospels when he came to minister LAW to Israel). We know Him as our RISEN Savior… the God-Man in glory… our Great High Priest in His heavenly sanctuary, at His throne of GRACE.

We are looking unto the Jesus whose work is finished, and who has entered into that within the veil – into the heavenly Holy of Holies (Heb. 6:19-20) and to whom our souls are anchored – safe and secure every step along the way – as we run the race with patience! We are anchored to the forerunner, and we are running right behind Him, following His steps, and assured of the same heavenly destination. There is no uncertainty in this race.

Consider the importance of LOOKING. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live” (Num.21:8-9). The apostle John uses this historic event to illustrate how SIMPLE it is to be saved. Look and live (John 3:14-16)! There is something quite powerful in a simple look! It can imply a lot. A look can imply FAITH… a look that saves. “Look unto Me and be saved” (Isa. 45:22). Consider Isaiah 31:1: “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” In this context, the term looking speaks of trusting in; relying upon; seeking. Note the contrast here. Those who go down to Egypt were looking to Egypt for help, support, strength, and ability to fight the fight. In contrast to looking to Egypt, God said that the Jews should have LOOKED unto Him for help, support, strength, and ability to fight the fight. The concept of “looking unto” someone or something implies a confidence in… a look for someone to deliver… a look to someone to enable them to have victory. This is a good illustration for us of what it means to run the race looking unto Jesus – for help, strength, ability to fight the good fight, and endurance to continue running the race. He is our Strength.

When the author of Hebrews spoke of “looking unto Jesus” as we run the race, he certainly wasn’t talking about looking at icons or pictures of Jesus. He was talking about fixing our eyes of faith upon the Risen Lord and trusting in Him to give us the strength to continue running. We are to walk by faith (II Cor. 5:7). The author of Hebrews tells us that we are also to run by faith. As we run the race we are to be looking to Christ in faith, trusting in Him every step of the way to keep us going. This look of faith enables us to run the race with patience (endurance). Don’t miss this point: endurance is not something that we conjure up from our own strength. Rather, endurance is ours by faith as we keep our eyes upon the Lord. In the account in Matthew 14:24-30, Peter walked on water. He did something that was impossible in his own power. First the disciples saw Christ walking on the water. Peter requested to walk out to the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Come!” In obedience and faith, and looking unto Jesus, Peter stepped out of the boat, and was able to walk on water. As we walked by faith with his eyes on the Lord, he was able to do the impossible. But notice that as he took his eyes off the Lord, and began to focus instead on the waves… on his circumstances… and he immediately began to sink. His natural senses and his own understanding told him that he could not walk on water. With his eyes of faith off Christ, and as he leaned on his own understanding and on his own strength and power, he began to sink.

Transferring that illustration to what the author of Hebrews states, the only way we will be able to run the race with patience (endurance – without sinking; without quitting; without falling) is to be LOOKING unto Jesus with our eyes of faith fixed firmly on Him. You see, running the race, (living the Christian life, walking in newness of life, living a resurrected life) is just as impossible in our own strength as walking on water. But as we LOOK unto Jesus, focused on Him, we are able to do the impossible! We are enabled to keep on running, persevering, and enduring, until we reach the finish line and receive a WELL DONE! Focus is everything.