October 9

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our 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. — Heb 12:2 BSB

No one can run the race set before him except by looking to Jesus. He stands at the head of the race, at the finish line, holding the crown of victory, ready to place it on the head of the runner who finishes. We can only run as we look at Jesus, by the eye of faith, at the right hand of the Father, opening His arms to welcome us at the end of the race.

In fact, no one can truly look to Him without the special gift and grace of God. He must be revealed to the soul by God’s power. We must behold His glorious Godhead and His suffering manhood by faith. We must see Him as the incarnate God, the one Mediator between God and humanity. We must see the power of His atoning blood to cleanse a guilty conscience; the beauty of His obedience to justify a needy, sinful soul; the sweetness of His dying love as a balm for all the troubles and sorrows of life. We must see His glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth; His ability to meet every need and comfort every sorrow; His infinite compassion for the worst and vilest of sinners; His patient endurance of our sins and backslidings; His unchanging love, stronger than death; His readiness to hear; His eagerness to bless; and His power to save completely all who come to God through Him.

Thus, the runner keeps his eyes fixed not on the length of the course, the roughness of the ground, or his own efforts or strength. He does not look to applauding friends or condemning foes, but only to the incarnate Son of God. Jesus draws him forward with His irresistible grace. Every glimpse of Jesus renews the flame of love in his heart; every view of His blood and righteousness stirs up a desire to experience more of their power; and every touch of His sacred hand molds the heart to be like Him in His suffering. This is the life of a Christian—day by day, running the race for eternity. And as the runner presses toward the heavenly goal, he proves his sincerity by constantly longing for divine realities and striving to move closer and closer to the Lord Jesus, who will give him a heavenly crown when he finishes the race with joy.