Many of us are embarking on a pioneering journey at a time when pioneering is difficult because of the times in which we live, but take courage to be a pioneer is to follow in the footsteps of one of the most extraordinary pioneers ever.
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV) — 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 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.
First, we must note that he is The Pioneer of life itself, nothing exists that was not brought into being without his will, but then we note he is is also the pioneer because he set the most excellent of examples on how humanity is expected to live before God and then thirdly we read that he is the one who empowers and literally perfects or makes good our faith.
As the pioneer of our faith, the word archēgos as used in the Greek typically refers to a leader or guide as well as to a founder.
I love the fact that Scriptures makes clear the reality of the hardship that Jesus experienced in the pursuit of His cause, and by extension to which a pioneer must willingly give themselves. It shows us that in order for Christ to achieve his objective to make salvation an experiential reality, he had to go through suffering (Heb 2:10). If you want to pioneer you must be willing to endure the pain involved.
And so the very one who created life had to endure the indignity of having his life taken from him in order to achieve his goal.
Acts 3:15 (NIV) — 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
So we are encouraged to fix our eyes on Jesus.
The word uses implies a present continuous ‘fixing’ of our eyes. When our eyes are fixed we are embarking upon the intentional screening out of distractions and focusing in. We choose to focus on Jesus actions movements and orientation. Of course, we also receive back information from what we see. Producing faith. Faith comes by this seeing and hearing producing in us the ability to move mountains and by such seeing and hearing conquer kingdoms and gain the promises of God
So let us in our pioneering endeavours choose to fix our eyes on Jesus and suffer whatever indignities may come.
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