“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Hebrews 4:3
Throughout Scripture we find mention of the necessity of hearing, but also hearing aright. Paul makes this so very clear when he writes to the Roman believers concerning believing in Christ: “…and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (10:14) Hearing is essential to faith. It is a way of being given access to the great truths of the Gospel, the very power of God unto salvation. God gives faith to believe, to repent and follow Christ, but only according to the truth of Christ. This is why the Lord Jesus, during his ministry, would use the phrase in speaking to the multitudes: “He that ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt. 11:15) It is one thing to have the faculty, or ability to hear, but quite another to use it well. Spiritually speaking, one can have an ear to hear that which is interesting and be in earnest to hear it clearly. And yet, that which is heard by the lips of Christ is not embraced, laid hold of, and lived by. In other words, one can have ears to hear, and choose not to hear. The truth at that point has little effect on the heart.
But what about seeing, looking? If hearing is so very important, how much more, or equally important is it to look, not only in the right direction but at the single most important object of one’s attention? The author of the letter to the Hebrews, after writing about that great cloud of witnesses, which have preceded the believers in the present moment, goes on to speak of looking intently unto Jesus. (12:2) This gaze at Christ is not just a glance at Him, but a setting of one’s attention on Him, to behold Him, to seek and to find Him, hearing what He will say. David’s concept of this matter was very similar to that mentioned in Hebrews. He wrote in Psalm 16:8: “I have SET the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Why does David write this? It is out of necessity, for he has come to realize that Christ not only is the only viable, and singularly eternal object and person of highest worth, but that in seeing Him, there is communicated to his own heart the very reality of His presence. It was C.S. Lewis who wrote that in the act of worship (true), God reveals Himself to the heart. This principle held true for David, the Hebrew Christians in the early church, and for every believer today. What then is so very important in seeing Jesus, fixing our eyes upon Him?
The first thing is that, in seeing or beholding Him, faith has not only a basis for rising up and following Christ amidst the trials and difficulties of life, but the capacity of receiving from God all that is necessary to know Him is provided. Secondly, there is in that act of beholding Him the motivating power to pursue Him, to know and have communion with Him. David learned to appropriate Christ for his every need, and this according to the truth that he discovered and grasp, that was in Christ. For example, he would write concerning beholding Christ, “…because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (v.8) He goes on to speak of the experience of his joy, peace in the expectation of what Christ will always do, because of what He always IS. Lastly, it was in beholding him intently, that David knew he would be shown, or revealed to him, “…the path of life.” The imperative essential of guidance in his life was not only promised, but certain to be given, and this, with joy.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the past with its burdens and sins, laid aside, we are to presently, freely run well the race.
Dear Father, Enable us to run. In Jesus’ name, Amen.