The Bethany Bullet - March 9, 2010

“Fix your eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of faith who for the joy
set before Him endured the cross
scorning its shame and sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.”

One theological description of original sin is to be curved in on one’s self. In other words, by nature we are navel gazers. Perhaps this nature leads you to see yourself as slovenly; perhaps it causes you to see yourself superior, or maybe you go back and forth between the two. Complements and criticisms, promotions and demotions drive you back and forth. One moment you’ve got yourself on a pedestal - the other on a list of the most pitiful.

The author to the letter of the Hebrews directs you to take your eyes off yourself and fix them on Jesus.

If you are a, “I bet God’s sick of putting up with me” person, one who is prone to fixing your eyes on yourself and peering into your person as unworthy, unusable, and unnoticeable know that God’s love for you is unconditional. The work He intends to accomplish through you is immeasurable for it is of eternal consequence. He sees you through the prism of His Son and is pleased to call you His own child and plans to send you to serve His people. So, fix your eyes on Jesus and consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you do not grow weary or lose heart.

If you are a, “I bet God’s glad to have me” person, one who is prone to fixing your eyes on yourself, mesmerized by your own ability, and how fortunate your family, your company, or Bethany is to have you – know that you ain’t all that. But, you are all His and while He doesn’t see you for what you got – He sees you for what He has given: His grace in Christ and gifts through the Spirit. He delights in humble service and seeks to draw others to Himself through yours. So fix your eyes on Jesus and consider Him who humbled Himself to take on flesh, be born of a virgin, and live as a servant of His own creation.

-Pastor Kevin Kritzer