Dr. Dan Hayden •
I once sang in a choir where the director insisted that all eyes be on him at all times. Hey, there’s no question about it—the music was better when we did that.
Hebrews 12:2 says, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross.”
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus.” You see Jesus is the One who gives us the kind of faith that produces joy. He’s the author of it, and He is the One who strengthens our faith so that we experience increasing joy. He’s the perfecter of it. So – the important thing for us is to keep our eyes on Jesus.
“Fixing our eyes” is one word in the original text. It’s the Greek word aphorao that means “to look away at something; to fix one’s eyes intently.” It has the idea of staring at something.
Always staring at Jesus – that’s the idea! It would be very much like the members of a concert choir keeping their eyes on the conductor. The conductor inspires them with his example. He gives them their cues. He keeps them in sync. He draws out the energy of their voices to sing with forte – or with pianissimo. They are looking away from everything else in order to fix their eyes steadfastly on him. That’s this word. So – we are to keep our eyes on Jesus that way, ignoring every distraction in order to follow His example.
Hey, if you’re not watching the conductor how will you know what to do? ■