“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
I have read, quoted and perhaps even sang this verse a countless number of times. However, lately I have found this scripture to be a vital piece of my everyday focus.
Like many of you I have endured the continuous reports of failures in the personal lives of many prominent persons. It seems as if there are no boundaries: these failures come from every discipline, profession, socio-economic background, faith, race, gender, educational background, political affiliation – the list goes on. These personal failures cut deep and there seems to be no end.
Like many of you, some of these tragic stories are from people whom I have admired and looked to for encouragement and example for success and achievement. You may have seen a role model or advisor fall to a personal bad decision. You may have placed confidence or trust in someone, only to see them disappoint you.
What is one to do? What do you do if your close friend turns on you and acts out of character? What do you do if the person who expressed love, commitment and devotion to you suddenly abandons you? What do you do if the person you have declared loyalty and faith in, is caught in scandal or dishonor? No doubt all of us have experienced something of this degree.
When we witness a failing, too often some people fall into one of two groups. The first group becomes discouraged and may fall into depression or despair. These are the ones who drift around in a daze, forever trying to find someone to replace the “hero” in their lives. As a result, they are taken advantage of or fall prey to scams and false doctrines.
The second group doesn’t fare any better. They take on the mindset that because no one is doing right or can be trusted, they should do wrong as well because it doesn’t really matter.
I would like for us to consider another option.
Hebrews 12:2 gives us the answer: Looking unto Jesus… Christ should be our example. Have you ever wondered why God took the time to instruct the authors of the Bible to include the fact that Adam, the first man, disobeyed God and blamed the woman and even God Himself? Have you ever wondered why the Bible includes the account of Noah getting drunk? Why is the “Father of faith,” Abraham, on record for lying to Abimelech and pharaoh that Sarah was his sister and not his wife? Why would the Lord want us to know that Jacob was a swindler? Or why would He tell us that King David, a man after God’s own heart, was an adulterer, murderer and chose to have a pestilence placed on the people for his sin?
Consider John, the Baptizer. After declaring that Jesus was the Lamb of God and stating he wasn’t worthy to lace Jesus’ shoes, while in prison awaiting execution for telling Herod the truth, John sent word to Jesus asking him if He was the Christ, or should he wait for another? Why did they include in the Holy Scriptures the account of Peter denying Jesus, sinking in the water and being discriminatory against Gentiles? I could go on, but the fact remains there are no perfect people.
As such, Paul admonished us to look to Jesus! He is the only one worthy to be our hero. He is the only one guaranteed to never let us down. He is the one we should look to as the example of holiness and righteousness. Only Jesus showed us the perfect example of love and obedience. Jesus is the model preacher, evangelist and soul-winner!
Just because someone can dunk a basketball, throw a football or sing a melodious tune does not they are perfect. Just because someone can play or act a part, preach a message that stirs your soul or solve mathematical equations does not mean that they are a model citizen. I believe the words of the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “…and though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, give my body to be burned and have not love, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).
Friends, let me encourage you – stop comparing yourselves to others. Stop trying to measure up or depend on people to rescue you or tell you every step of the way. The Psalmist wrote, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help” (Psalms 146:3). The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5). My personal favorite is found in Psalms 20:7, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
People will fail you, but God never will. People will forget you, but God never will. People will let you down, but God never will. People will abandon you, but God never will. Keep looking to Jesus!
I bless you in the name of the Lord!