Yes, as we behold, focus on, become preoccupied with Jesus Christ, we are constantly being transfigured into His very own image. As we look at Jesus, we become like Jesus!
We can see then why Satan uses the lure of sexual impurity, as he captures our gaze in pornography, diverts our focus with an illicit relationship, captivates our spiritual eyesight. And if we take our eyes off Jesus by involving ourselves with sexual impurity, we have become nearsighted and blind, and all of our spiritual progress stops (2 Peter 1:9).
So now let’s ask the question, “What specifically are we to focus on as we become radically preoccupied with Jesus Christ?” Is it the amazing, selfless life He lived? The miracles He performed? His wonderful teachings?
While all those things are good and right, our text today tells us to focus on something else. Let’s read it together:
Hebrews 12:2 ESV looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Dear friend, this should be our life-pursuit: focusing on the cross/resurrection of Jesus!
If we look at the cross, Jesus becomes like a magnet and draws us away from impurity and to Himself (John 12:32). He draws us as we consider His suffering, how He endured a criminal’s cross and all our shame, all for the joy set before Him of saving us and setting us free.
As you look to the cross, you will see that God made Jesus a guilt offering for your sin (Isaiah 53:10) so that you would be entirely free of guilt. You will see that He was condemned so that you could be released (just like what happened to Barabbas, see Matthew 27:26), and that He came under the curse of God so that you could experience God’s blessing (Galatians 3:13-14).
As you look even more at the cross, you see Jesus being accused of your sin so that Satan now has nothing with which to charge you (just like what happened to Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-5), and that Jesus hung in apparent defeat to defeat Satan for you.
Further looking at the cross shows you that Jesus took all the wrath of God, endured wave after wave of God’s billows of wrath (Psalm 42:7) so that God has absolutely nothing but love for you (John 3:16).
And there is just so much more to see!
Question 5. Please look at the cross right now, and state one thing that you see clearly:
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