Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.
Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.”

Break It Down

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus”
“We do this” refers back to the call to run the race of faith with endurance. Endurance does not come from willpower alone, but from focus. To keep our eyes on Jesus is to fix our attention steadily on Him rather than being distracted by surrounding pressures.

“the champion who initiates and perfects our faith”
Jesus is the champion who goes before us and secures the victory. He initiates faith—He is its source. He perfects faith—He brings it to completion. Faith begins with Him and is sustained by Him.

“Because of the joy awaiting him”
Jesus endured what lay before Him because He could see beyond it. The joy was not in suffering, but in what lay on the other side—restored relationship and redemption.

“he endured the cross, disregarding its shame”
The cross involved deep suffering and public shame. Yet Jesus endured it, refusing to allow shame to define Him or deter Him. The cross did not have the final word.

“Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne”
This speaks of completion and victory. Jesus’ work is finished. He now sits in authority, honor, and glory beside the Father.

God’s Intention

This passage reveals a God who goes before us. God’s heart is not to leave us striving alone, but to invite us to fix our eyes on Jesus—the One who begins and completes faith.

Weave in the Passage

Hebrews 12 follows the testimony of faithful witnesses in Hebrews 11. Jesus stands as the fulfillment of their hope and the foundation of our faith. Through the cross and resurrection, God’s redemptive plan is completed.

Related Scripture
Philippians 2:8–9 (NLT)
John 19:30 (NLT)
Romans 8:34 (NLT)

Application for Today

Where might your focus need to be gently realigned today?
What would change if you intentionally fixed your eyes on Jesus again?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You that You go before me and remain with me. Help me lift my eyes when I grow weary. I trust You to carry my faith through. Amen.

Reflection

The race is sustained not by looking inward, but by fixing our eyes on Jesus.