Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – EGP Blog post from August 19, 2006

Think of some things that cause stress in your life. When you come up with several, write them as if around a circle. When done, write “Jesus” in bold in the center of the circle. Focus your vision on the word “Jesus” and notice what happens to all the other words.

Luke 22:41–44 ()

[41] He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, [42] “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” [43] Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. [44] He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

Luke 22:44 Luke 22:43-44 These verses are not included in many ancient manuscripts.

Hebrews 12:1–4 ()

[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. [3] Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. [4] After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Hebrews 12:2 Or Jesus, the Originator and Perfecter of our faith.

Response

  1. Do you ever wonder whether people who have passed on watch those of us who are still here? How does that affect the choices you make?
  2. Describe a time in your life when you moved Christ from His primary position in your life. How did that affect your stress level?
  3. If you put that matter into His hands, describe the difference that made on your stress level.
  4. Christ’s view of the ultimate eternal goal helped Him endure the suffering He received. With the cross you bear, how can you gain endurance?
  5. How can you maintain a better focus on Christ and view things from an eternal perspective?

Helen Lemmel – “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” (1922)

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!