Fix your eyes on Jesus

Ray tells me that once when he was a little boy playing in the park, he forgot that a seesaw isn't a slide. He slid down the board of the seesaw and painfully lodged a huge splinter in his bottom. It was too much for his big sisters to take out, so they escorted him to Dr. Lincoln's house, which was near the park. Dr. Lincoln was their gruff, kindly, beetlebrowed old family physician, and he knew them all well. So when he looked at little Ray, the youngest of the five Ortlund children, who was teary-eyed and somewhat in shock, Dr. Lincoln knew just what he had to do. First, with his arm tight around Ray, he explained he was going to have to cut that thing out, and it would hurt like all blazes. But Dr. Lincoln said he'd be right there to do a good job and then pour plenty of iodine to out the bugs and make it heal well. Then, he said, just give it some time and Ray would be good as new. After this thorough and realistic explanation, there was one final word on what you did to get through the hurt: you yelled "Hold 'em, East High! Hold 'em, East High!" That's a very homey illustration . . . but the Lord Jesus Christ knew when He was here the first time that we'd all have experiences before He came back that would hurt like all blazes. So in Luke 21 He gave us a realistic description of how bad our world was going to get, so we'd be prepared. He said He wanted us to know what to expect: Watch out that you are not deceived (v.8). And then He painted a black picture: Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be earthquakes and famines in many lands, and epidemics, and terrifying things happening in the heavens (vv.10-11, TLB). He spoke particularly of how believers would be hassled and dragged off to prison and some even put to death. And-- When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near (v.20). Now, in a sense, like old Dr. Lincoln, Jesus was describing all this with one arm around us, soothing us. He said, Do not be frightened (v.9). That's a command! And He said, Make up your mind not to worry (v.14). It's a deliberate act of your will. When world conditions are terrible and enemies threaten, remember Genesis 12:6-7: The Canaanites were then in the land, but the Lord appeared to Abram (italics mine). When the enemy seems close, Jesus is closer. And He commands you to "fear not" 365 times in the Bible -- once for each new day. Then don't fix your eyes on what's making you afraid. And don't fix your eyes on your fear. When you're afraid, fix your eyes on Jesus. Best of all, He said to us, When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth near (Luke 21:28 KJV). When you hear newscasts and discussions and all the daily street talk, when people are beginning to "faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world" (v.26), fix your eyes on Jesus. Do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it (Isaiah 8:12). Before long, all this will be over. See [He says], I am coming soon, and my reward is with me (Revelation 22:12). "Hold 'em, East High!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pray to Him about this: O Lord Jesus, give me great compassion for this hurting world; may I testify of You and bring Your wonderful salvation and help wherever I can. But, Lord, meanwhile, keep me obediently looking up and not being afraid. May my eyes be fixed on You and Your glorious return to set things right at last! Maranatha! "Even so, come Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20)! Amen. * * * * * I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright." I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that Light of life I'll walk Till traveling days are done. --Horatius Bonar, 1846