WEDNESDAY October 30th
Now, I am continuing the same theme from the previous devotion within the overall theme of these devotions, ‘Jesus the very thought of thee’, for going back again to Luke 4, after Jesus had read from the prophet Isaiah, it says this ‘And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him’, verse 21.
We have already noticed how quickly their attitude changed towards Jesus. On reading this verse I immediately thought of what it says in Hebrews 12 where we are told to keep looking to Jesus, who is the founder and perfector of our faith.
See, back in the synagogue, those in attendance took their eyes off who Jesus really was and began to see him from the natural, the viewpoint of who they saw his father to be, Joseph rather than God.
The moment we take our eyes off Jesus and begin to doubt concerning who he really is and all that he has done, we will slip back into the old nature. We need to ensure that we firmly fix our eyes on Jesus, determined and resolute to throw off every weight and sin that would so easily stop us or prevent us from finishing the race. For Jesus who is the reason for us starting in this race is also the one who will welcome us as we complete the race! He will be the prize!
What are we fixing our eyes upon? What are we allowing to take up our time which could be hindering us on our spiritual journey as we run this amazing race?
What could be causing the sweetness of Jesus to lose his sweetness in our lives?
Don’t let anyone or anything change your attitude towards Jesus, always remember that he is the only one sent from God, he is the only one who has given his life for you, he is the only one that has the power to forgive you, and he is the only one who can grant you eternal life. He is the only one through whom you can arrive in the eternal presence of God, so keep your eyes focused and fixed upon him.
Don’t allow anything else to fill you nor to thrill you in the same way that Jesus should for, ‘Jesus our only joy be thou as thou our prize wilt be; Jesus be thou, our glory now and through eternity’.