learning to see and savor the glory of Christ.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

This is a great article by J.C. Ryle on Hebrews 12:2. It’s definitely been a helpful and necessary shake up reminder for me to look to Christ in his death, living intercession, pattern, and coming return in the midst of taking it easy in this jobless and school-less first half of summer. Here’s a snippet, the link is right below:

In the phrase “looking unto Jesus,” it is useful and interesting to remember that the Greek word which, in our English Bible, we render “looking,” is only found here in the New Testament. Literally translated it means “looking off,”—looking away from other objects to one, only one, and looking on that one with a steady, fixed, intent gaze.

But, after all, the grand question which rises out of the text is this: What is it that we are to look at in Jesus? If we are to live habitually fixing the eyes of our mind on Christ, what are the special points to which we are to have regard? If “looking unto Jesus” is the real secret of a healthy, vigorous Christianity, what does the phrase mean?

And the object we are to look at, you will observe, is a PERSON,—not a doctrine, not an abstract theological dogma, but a living Person; and that Person is Jesus the Son of God. How much matter for thought lies there! Creeds and confessions are the necessary invention of a comparatively modern age. The first and simplest type of an apostolic early Christian was a man who trusted, and loved, a living Divine Person. Of head knowledge, and accurate definitions, perhaps he had but little store. Very likely he would have passed a poor examination in a latter day theological school. But one thing he did know: he knew, believed, loved, and could have died for, a living Saviour, a real personal Friend in heaven, even Jesus, the crucified and risen Son of God. Well would it be for the Churches of the nineteenth century, if we had more of this simple Christianity among us, and could realize more the Person of Christ.

J.C. Ryle – Looking Unto Jesus