Hebrews 12:2 says, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” This verse highlights several key ideas about Jesus and how he should be the focus and motivation of our faith.
Jesus as the pioneer of faith
The verse describes Jesus as the “pioneer” of faith. A pioneer is someone who goes before others to prepare the way and lead. Jesus did this in two key ways:
1. He lived a perfect life of faith and obedience to God, serving as an example for us to follow. Jesus trusted and depended on God fully, even when facing incredible hardship like the cross. His life demonstrated what faithful obedience looks like.
2. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection established the way of salvation by grace through faith. Before Christ, people approached God primarily through a system of works and law. But Jesus’ work on the cross paved the way for us to be saved simply by believing in Him. This was a pioneering new way of being made right with God through faith alone.
So as the pioneer of faith, Jesus blazed the trail of trusting God wholeheartedly. And He opened up the way for a relationship with God through faith rather than works. Looking to Him is how we learn what real faith looks like in action.
Jesus as the perfecter of faith
In addition to being the pioneer of faith, Jesus is also described as the “perfecter” of faith. To perfect something means to fully complete or finish it. There are several ways Jesus perfects our faith:
1. Jesus lived out perfect, unwavering faith during His earthly life, even to the point of death. This sets the standard we aim for as believers. While we can’t achieve perfection in this life, we strive after His example.
2. Jesus continues His work of perfecting our faith from heaven. He intercedes for us before the Father, helping shape our faith through trials. He also sends the Holy Spirit to grow our faith from the inside out.
3. One day Jesus will bring our faith to completion. When He returns, the imperfections of this life will disappear and our faith will become sight. What we know only in part we will know fully, completing the work Jesus began.
Looking to Christ reminds us that while our faith isn’t perfect yet, Jesus is working to refine and complete it. We can have confidence knowing He who started our faith will bring it to perfection one day.
Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him
A key statement in this verse is that Jesus endured the agony of the cross “for the joy set before Him.” Despite the extreme shame and suffering of the cross, Jesus willingly subjected Himself to it. What motivated Him to carry out this unimaginable sacrifice? The joy set before Him.
This joy refers to multiple realities that were on the horizon for Jesus if He endured the cross:
1. The joy of accomplishing salvation for all who would believe. Jesus was focused on the eternal destiny of souls who would be saved through His sacrifice.
2. The joy of dealing a decisive blow against Satan, sin and death. Christ’s death marked the beginning of their ultimate defeat.
3. The joy of glorifying the Father and completing the work the Father had sent Him to do. This brought Jesus great purpose and satisfaction.
4. The joy of being resurrected and returning to glory in heaven. Jesus looked past the suffering to the triumph of being raised and seated at the Father’s right hand.
Jesus willingly denied personal comfort and embraced agony because He focused on the joy His sacrifice would bring – our salvation, victory over evil, the Father’s glory and His own exaltation. This is a model for us when we face hardship or decisions between comfort and sacrifice.
Jesus is now seated at the Father’s right hand
After completing His earthly mission, Hebrews says Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” To “sit down” indicates the completion of His work of redemption. The right hand was considered the place of highest honor, authority and divine blessing. Jesus occupies this place of supremacy, having finished the task of making atonement for sins.
Jesus sitting at God’s right hand also shows that He rules alongside the Father over all Creation. Though Jesus walked the earth as a humble servant, through His sacrificial death He is now enthroned in heaven as King and Lord.
This place at the Father’s side was earned through perfect obedience. And it grants Jesus active rule over the Church as Savior and Sovereign. One day every knee will bow to Him and confess Him as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The exaltation of Christ to the right hand shows that His work redeems and lifts us. As believers united to Christ, we spiritually reign with Him in the heavenlies. What awaits Jesus also awaits all who belong to Him – glory, honor and rule forever in God’s presence.
Key lessons from Hebrews 12:2
Reflecting on Hebrews 12:2, here are some key lessons for the Christian life:
– Make Jesus the supreme focus of your faith. Fix your eyes on Him constantly as the perfect model of trusting God, the source of your salvation, and the One who will complete your faith.
– Follow Jesus’ example of enduring hardship for eternal reward. Don’t lose heart in trials, remembering it leads to greater joy with Christ someday.
– Draw strength from Jesus’ sacrificial love for you. Let the cross remind you of His devotion to bringing you salvation at all costs.
– Worship Jesus for His present glory in heaven. Exalt Him as both your Savior and your risen King.
– Look forward in hope to sharing in Christ’s glory. The exalted position of Jesus is a preview of what awaits every believer united to Him.
How to apply “fixing our eyes on Jesus”
Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to “fix our eyes” on Jesus. How do we keep our focus on Christ in daily life?
Read about Him in Scripture
Immersing ourselves in the Gospels causes us to encounter Jesus on almost every page. The more we read the Bible, the more familiar His face becomes.
Seek Him through prayer
Daily prayer helps us cultivate intimacy and communion with Jesus. As we speak and listen to Him, we grow closer to His heart and mind.
Worship and praise Him
Worship music, Scripture songs and hymns keep our minds centered on exalting Christ throughout the day. This directs every thought toward Him.
Obey what we know of Him
Obedience may be the clearest sign that our eyes are fixed on Jesus above all else. Following His example and commands keeps our eyes locked onto Him.
Rely on Him moment by moment
Dependence on Jesus is key to focusing our eyes on Him all day long. As we turn to Him for guidance, help and wisdom, He remains at the center of our attention.
Fellowship with His people
Believers who share our devotion to Jesus sharpen our focus on Him. Their testimonies, fellowship and Christlike love all reflect His glory.
The role of Hebrews 12:2 in the book of Hebrews
Hebrews 12:2 comes near the end of the letter. The book as a whole exhorts Jewish Christians facing persecution to remain strong in faith rather than revert back to Judaism. This verse perfectly summarizes a core theme of the book – holding fast to Jesus as the supreme object of our faith.
Jesus superior to Old Testament foreshadows
Much of Hebrews explains how Jesus surpasses previous forms of relating to God under the old covenant. The writer shows that Jesus is superior to prophets, priests, angels, Moses, temple sacrifices, and the entire Levitical system. Fixing our eyes on Jesus means recognizing His absolute supremacy over these Old Testament foreshadows.
Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice
Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was final and complete for all time. Jesus doesn’t need to be crucified again like old covenant sacrifices (Heb 10:12). Looking to Him means trusting completely in His finished work, not either trying to add to it or revert back to obsolete sacrifices.
Jesus’ role as heavenly High Priest
According to Hebrews, Jesus serves as our great High Priest before God’s throne, making intercession for us and helping us in weakness. To fix on Jesus means approaching God through Him with reverence and confidence, not through earthly priests or ritual (Heb 4:14-16).
Enduring faith until Jesus’ return
This book repeatedly urges believers to persevere and remain faithful until the end, when they will be with Jesus. The call to fix our eyes on Jesus reminds that He is the motivation and model to stay steady until His return.
So in the overall message of Hebrews, Hebrews 12:2 perfectly captures what it looks like to hold firmly to our faithful Savior, even amid hardship. He is supreme, all-sufficient, and worth any cost.
Connections to other biblical themes
Though Hebrews 12:2 stands on its own, it also relates closely to other key biblical themes. Tracing these connections enriches our understanding of this important verse:
God’s purpose and sovereignty
God ordained for His Son to suffer and reign (Isaiah 53:10-12), showing His wise and sovereign plan. Even the worst evil of the cross led to the greatest good in Christ’s exaltation.
Sacrificial love
Jesus’ willingness to die a shameful death out of love for us points to the nature of biblical love. It involves selfless sacrifice for the sake of others (John 15:13). This shapes how we are called to love.
Eternal perspective
Jesus endured earthly pain to gain eternal joy. This demonstrates the importance of keeping an eternal vs. earthly perspective (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Our view adjusts when remembering this life is short compared to eternity.
Suffering and glory
Following Jesus requires taking up our crosses (Luke 9:23). But sharing in His sufferings also leads to sharing in His glory (Romans 8:17). Pain and hardship have redemptive potential if united to Christ.
Penal substitutionary atonement
Jesus’ willingness to suffer wrath in our place (Romans 5:9) is at the heart of His atoning work. He substituted Himself in our place to pay sin’s penalty. This makes salvation possible.
So the themes that converge around Hebrews 12:2 help strengthen its message. Seeing its place in the Bible’s overarching story aids application.
Application to specific audiences
The truths in Hebrews 12:2 are profoundly relevant for many groups of people. The following are some key applications for these audiences:
Those struggling in hardship
For those enduring any trial – health issues, grief, relationship problems or other pain – Hebrews 12:2 is a lifeline. Keep looking to Jesus’ example of enduring the ultimate suffering out of love for you. This can give courage, strength and purpose in your pain.
Victims of injustice or oppression
When faced with unjust treatment, look at how Jesus was the ultimate innocent victim at the cross. His willingness to suffer can inspire us to return evil with love. Fixing our eyes on how He endured gives grace to forgive and courage to press on.
Those serving in difficult places
For missionaries in hostile nations or those serving the marginalized, Hebrews 12:2 encourages endurance. Remembering the scorn Jesus endured to serve us can empower you to deny comfort, embrace cross-bearing, and stay focused on eternal reward.
Leaders facing criticism or rejection
Leaders facing opposition can draw strength from Jesus’ example to stay focused on God’s calling. Jesus endured the cross to complete His mission. Leaders can choose to ignore critics and serve faithfully because of their loyal love for Christ.
Those struggling with fear, anxiety or discouragement
In times of emotional turbulence and despair, fix your thoughts on the triumphant, sovereign Jesus seated in glory. This realigns perspective from current problems to Christ’s supreme position and power. Calm and courage rise as we turn our eyes to Him.
Benefits of studying this verse
Carefully studying Hebrews 12:2 and grasping its meaning can enrich the believer’s life in the following ways:
Strengthens faith in Jesus
When we understand Jesus more fully – His sacrifice, glory, sovereignty and love – this builds our trust in Him. Deeper faith provides stability amidst life’s storms.
Fuels worship and gratitude
As the depth of Christ’s condescension and exaltation grips us, praise and thankfulness flow freely from our hearts to Him. The cross and the crown rightfully inspire worship.
Gives perspective during trials
Our gaze shifts from current suffering as we look at Jesus’ much greater agony on our behalf. This lifting of our eyes injects kingdom perspective into the pain.
Motivates Jesus-centered living
Seeing all Jesus endured to save us ignites loving devotion to Him inside us. Our highest purpose becomes glorifying Him with our lives out of gratitude for His sacrifice.
Instills perseverance and courage
Jesus’ willingness to endure scorn and death to obey the Father is the ultimate model of steadfastness. As we fix our eyes on Him, His perseverance inspires our own.
So in a variety of ways, studying Hebrews 12:2 as a rich summary of who Jesus is and what He has done powerfully impacts our lives. It anchors our faith and rivets our eyes on Christ.
Conclusion
Hebrews 12:2 beautifully encapsulates the identity and mission of Jesus Christ. This potent verse highlights His role as the pioneer of faith who established the way of salvation. It points to how He perfectly fulfilled God’s will through sacrificial love. And it celebrates His position of ultimate supremacy as the enthroned King following His atoning work.
This multi-faceted picture of Jesus Christ reminds believers to fix our eyes continually on Him – the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He alone is worthy of total allegiance. He alone can empower us to follow in His footsteps no matter the cost. When we feel our focus drifting from Christ, Hebrews 12:2 calls us back to the Savior whose love endured the ultimate agony of the cross. And now He calls us to walk the same path of unwavering obedience out of love for Him.