Looking to Jesus
- Eddie Parrish
- Jan 22
- 2 min read
Most races aren’t lost at the starting line or even near the finish. They’re lost in the middle—when the excitement fades, fatigue sets in, and quitting starts to sound reasonable. That’s the moment addressed in Hebrews 12:1–3, and it’s the moment many believers know all too well.
This sermon, Looking to Jesus, speaks to Christians who are still in the race but feeling the weight of weariness, pressure, and distraction. Written to believers tempted to give up, the book of Hebrews reminds us that endurance does not come from sheer willpower, but from where we fix our eyes. The faithful before us endured suffering because they focused on realities they could not see—and ultimately on a Savior they trusted.
In this lesson, we explore what it truly means to “look to Jesus,” how Scripture shapes that focus, and why thoughtful, deliberate reflection on Christ is essential for finishing the race.
Questions for further reflection:
In what ways do you most often experience “the middle of the race” in your faith—weariness, distraction, discouragement, or doubt?
What things tend to slow you down or entangle you spiritually, and how have they affected your endurance?
How would you describe the difference between merely knowing about Jesus and actively “fixing your gaze” on Him?
According to Hebrews 11–12, why is faith so closely connected to focusing on what cannot be seen?
What does it look like, practically, to “consider Him” in your daily life?
How much space do you currently make for quiet, Scripture-shaped reflection on Jesus?
When life becomes heavy, where does your mind naturally go—and what does that reveal about your focus?
How can intentional meditation on Christ strengthen your resolve to keep running rather than drifting or turning back?
