Looking to Jesus & Seeing Him More Clearly

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

The book of Hebrews is written more like a sermon than a letter.
What are you seeing at the end of your life (as given to you by God)?

We should beware of stopping short of God’s leading and plan for us, perhaps like Abraham’s father (Gen. 11:27,31).

Imagine living in a tent, then receiving an offer to move to “a city with foundations”. That would be a privilege, not a sacrifice.

Job 42:5-6, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you”. This is analogous of our life. We do not see Him clearly now, but will one day see Him face to face. Would it help you on your journey if you knew that you would see His face at the end? And would it help you now if you could see His face more clearly along the way? 1 Cor. 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

Our final reward, more than a city, is to see Christ.

Rom. 8:13, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

1 Cor. 9:24, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”

In a race, we often know more about what is at the finish line that what is around the next corner.

We’re not running alone. Runners will often form groups during a race to encourage and help each other to cross the finish line. We do the same, although we look more to Christ than to each other for help.

Desire/passion are not bad things. Your desire for Him should be both strong and increasing throughout your life.

John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

The translators used the word “mansions” in the KJV (King James Version of the Bible). However, that word isn’t really in the text. The word is “place”, and the idea is primarily that Jesus is preparing a place for us to be with Himself.

Closing comment: “I don’t want to [just] hear about God doing things… I want to see Him.”