CORNER OF YOUR EYE

Peripheral vision allows us to be aware of our surroundings while remaining focused on what is in front of us. What we see from ‘the corner of our eye’ can be useful. But it can become a distraction!

When I read Jesus’ story in the gospels, I am always amazed by His determination as He headed towards Jerusalem one last time. Why did He “resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (LUKE 9:51)—or “set His face” (V.51 NKJV)? He was going there to die for me and you.

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (V.51). From that moment on, Jesus’ eyes were on the cross: His death for us and His resurrection afterwards. Everything else became part of His peripheral vision.

A few people on the road said they wanted to follow Him (VV.57-62). Jesus said to them: “No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (V.62). The point was that we can’t move ahead while looking at what we’ve left behind. If we’re following Jesus, He has to be our focus.

Neither the praises of the people (19:37-38) or their shouts of hatred (23:21) could keep Jesus from His goal “to give his life as a ransom for many” and to pay the price to set us free (MATTHEW 20:28). Where is our focus today?

Thinking it over . . .

What is your focus on generally? Is it Jesus or something else? What do you think it means to be people of light who “put aside the deeds of darkness” (ROMANS 13:12). How do we “clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ” so that we don’t focus on our selfish desires (V.14)?