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“Looking unto Jesus” is one of the most powerful directives in the New Testament. It is not a suggestion. It is a condition for finishing the race of faith. The theme of this song is exactly that: a life oriented, governed, and sustained by a fixed gaze on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us look at what the Word of God says.
> “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
> — Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
> “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
> — Hebrews 10:23 (KJV)
> “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
> — Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
> “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
> — Philippians 3:14 (KJV)
The lyrics of “Eyes Fixed on Jesus” gather these four passages into one united confession. They describe:
The Christian life is not random. It is not drift. It is direction. It is focus. It is pressing on. And the center point of that focus is a Person: Jesus Christ.
To understand the force of these words, we must stand where the original authors stood.
### Hebrews 12:2 and Hebrews 10:23
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to Jewish believers in Jesus who were under pressure—social, religious, and probably political—to turn back from Christ and return to the old system: temple, sacrifices, priesthood. They were tempted to let go of their faith-confession in Jesus as Messiah.
In that context, the writer says:
> “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” (Hebrews 10:35)
Then he urges:
> “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…” (Hebrews 10:23)
And later:
> “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1–2)
These are not abstract devotional thoughts. They are survival instructions for Christians under pressure. The answer to pressure is not retreat. It is a more focused gaze on Jesus and a firmer grip on our confession.
### Matthew 6:33
In Matthew 6, Jesus speaks to disciples surrounded by the anxieties of daily life: food, clothing, security, survival. He contrasts two ways of life:
> “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (v. 33)
Jesus is not indifferent to our needs. He simply refuses to let them be first. The kingdom must be first. Righteousness must be first. Then God Himself undertakes to add what we need.
### Philippians 3:14
Philippians is one of Paul’s most personal letters, written from prison. He is not settled, not retired, not coasting. He uses athletic language—a race, a goal, a prize:
> “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Paul has already renounced everything that was his natural pride—religion, pedigree, achievements—to gain Christ (Philippians 3:7–8). Now he pictures himself as a runner, leaning forward, not looking back, eyes fixed on the finish line and the prize.
So, when we sing of:
> “I press on toward the goal to win the prize…”
we are joining Paul’s mindset: no complacency, no spiritual retirement, no drifting. Pressing on, eyes fixed.
To deepen our understanding, we will consider two key Greek terms:
1. “Looking unto” (Hebrews 12:2)
2. “Confession/profession” (Hebrews 10:23)
### 1. “Looking unto” – ἀφορῶντες (aphorōntes)
The phrase in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus,” uses the Greek participle ἀφορῶντες (aphorōntes). It is a compound word:
It does not mean a casual glance. It means:
So Hebrews 12:2 might be rendered: “Looking away [from all else] unto Jesus.” This is important. You cannot truly fix your gaze on Jesus and at the same time keep your eyes equally on:
Faith requires a deliberate turning away—from distractions, fears, rival loyalties—and a deliberate turning to the Person of Jesus.
This deepens the lyric:
> “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus…”
It is not merely, “Include Jesus in your field of vision.” It is, “Make Him the single, dominating object of your focus, and refuse competing claims.”
### 2. “Profession/Confession” – ὁμολογία (homologia)
Hebrews 10:23 says:
> “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…”
The Greek word is ὁμολογία (homologia), from:
It literally means “saying the same thing.” Biblical confession is not merely speaking; it is speaking in agreement with God. We confess when we say with our lips what God has already said in His Word.
To “hold fast” our confession means:
This clarifies the lyric:
> “Let us keep the substance of our hope unmoved, without wavering; for he who has given his word is true and faithful.”
We are to keep our confession anchored, unmoved, because God, who promised, is faithful. We do not confess our feelings; we confess His Word.
Let us now walk through the themes of the lyrics and see how Scripture interprets Scripture.
### Chorus: “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who started and finishes our faith.”
This comes directly from Hebrews 12:2:
> “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”
The word translated “author” can also be “pioneer,” “originator,” or “leader”—He is the One who began our faith. The word “finisher” means “perfecter,” “completer.” In other words:
This removes all boasting. We did not start this by our own cleverness. We do not keep it going by our own strength. We do not complete it by our own discipline. We cooperate, we obey, we endure—but He is the source and the finisher.
This is vital for spiritual warfare. Satan will attack you at three levels:
1. He will accuse you about your past
2. He will discourage you about your present
3. He will threaten you about your future
The answer is not to look inward but to look upward.
### Chorus (second line): “Let us keep the substance of our hope unmoved, without wavering; for he who has given his word is true and faithful.”
This echoes Hebrews 10:23:
> “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
It also resonates with Hebrews 11:1:
> “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for…”
Faith gives substance to hope. Hope looks forward; faith brings the future promise into present reality. But hope must be anchored:
> “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…” (Hebrews 6:19)
Why can we hold fast without wavering? Because:
> “he is faithful that promised.”
God’s character is the ground of our stability. Our emotions change. Our surroundings change. But the One who has spoken is utterly faithful. Every spiritual battle comes down to this question: “Will I trust the character of God, or will I trust what I feel and see?”
### Verse 1: “He went through the cross, not caring for its shame, and has now taken his place at the right hand of God's throne.”
This restates Hebrews 12:2:
> “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Notice the sequence:
1. Joy set before Him
2. Endured the cross
3. Despised (regarded lightly) the shame
4. Sat down at the right hand of God
The cross was not pleasant. It was indescribably painful and shameful. Crucifixion was public disgrace, exposure, mockery. Yet Jesus “despised” the shame—He evaluated it as insignificant compared with the joy.
The joy before Him included:
This is our pattern. To keep our eyes fixed on Jesus means:
Paul speaks similarly:
> “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
To the believer under reproach, under misunderstanding, under pressure, the cross is not the end. The right hand of God is the end. Our High Priest is already there, interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25).
### Verse 2: “But let your first care be for God's kingdom and his righteousness; and all these other things will be given to you in addition.”
This is Matthew 6:33 in simple paraphrase:
> “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Note the order:
1. Seek first His kingdom
2. Seek His righteousness
3. “All these things” (food, clothing, material needs) shall be added
There is always a battle over first. The world will accept your Christianity as long as it is not first. The devil will tolerate your church attendance, your Bible reading, your religious activities, provided they are not first. But Jesus demands first place:
> “And he is the head of the body, the church… that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18)
When you fix your eyes on Jesus, you are giving Him that preeminence. You are saying:
This is deeply practical. Many believers want the “added” things without God’s order. They want God’s provision without God’s priority. But the condition is clear: first the kingdom, then the additions.
### Verse 3: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me towards heaven in union with Jesus Christ.”
This is Philippians 3:14 restated:
> “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Consider three elements:
1. I press – This implies resistance. The Christian life is not passive. There is opposition—from the flesh, the world, and Satan. We must press through.
2. Toward the mark – There is a specific target, not aimless activity. The “mark” is conformity to Christ and completion of God’s will for our lives (Romans 8:29).
3. For the prize – God is not ashamed to motivate us with reward. There is a real prize: reigning with Christ, sharing His glory, hearing “Well done” (2 Timothy 4:7–8; 2 Timothy 2:12).
Note also: “the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Every aspect of our destiny is bound up with our union with Christ. Outside of Him there is no calling, no prize, no eternal fruit.
The lyric adds: “in union with Jesus Christ.” That is accurate. Faith is not bare effort; it is the outworking of our union with Him. We do not run alone. We run joined to a living Savior by the Holy Spirit.
### Spiritual Realities Reflected in the Lyrics
1. Spiritual Warfare:
2. The Nature of God:
3. The Condition of the Human Heart:
God’s remedy to all this is simple but demanding: Fix your eyes on My Son. Hold fast My Word. Seek My kingdom first. Press on toward My heavenly call.
We must never treat these truths as theory. They are to govern our daily walk. Here are four practical steps, each tied to a scriptural proclamation.
### 1. Deliberately Turn Your Gaze to Jesus Daily
Because ἀφορῶντες means “looking away unto,” you must intentionally turn away from rival focuses.
Proclamation:
“Lord Jesus, today I look away from every distraction and I fix my eyes on You, the author and finisher of my faith.”
### 2. Align Your Mouth with God’s Word (Hold Fast Your Confession)
Your confession must be consistent with Scripture, not with your circumstances.
Proclamation:
“I hold fast the confession of my faith without wavering, for You, Lord, are faithful who promised. My mouth agrees with Your Word, not with my fears.”
### 3. Establish God’s Kingdom as First Priority
Matthew 6:33 must move from slogan to structure in your life.
Proclamation:
“Father, I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. I renounce anxiety about material things, and I trust You to add what I need according to Your promise.”
### 4. Refuse Spiritual Passivity; Press On
Adopt Paul’s mentality: no coasting.
Proclamation:
“In Christ Jesus, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. I refuse to live in the past or drift in the present. By Your grace, Lord, I move forward.”
### Proclamation
Speak this aloud, deliberately, as an act of aligning with the truth of God’s Word:
“I fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.
I look away from fear, from failure, from the things that are seen, and I look to Him who is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
I hold fast the confession of my hope without wavering, for the One who promised is faithful.
I seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all that I need shall be added to me.
In Christ Jesus I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.
I will not draw back. I will not be moved.
My eyes are fixed, my heart is set, my mouth agrees with God’s Word,
and He who has begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Amen.”
### Prayer
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You. I acknowledge my tendency to be distracted, to fear, to waver. I repent of every way in which I have taken my eyes off Your Son and fixed them on circumstances, on people, or on myself.
Lord Jesus, I confess You as the author and finisher of my faith. By Your Holy Spirit, turn my gaze to You. Strengthen me to endure my cross, to despise its shame, and to live in the light of the joy set before me.
Holy Spirit, write Matthew 6:33 and Hebrews 10:23 upon my heart. Teach me to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Train my lips to hold fast the confession of my hope without wavering. Deliver me from spiritual passivity. Put in me the same mind that was in Paul—to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I declare that He who has promised is faithful. I entrust my life, my future, my needs, and my calling into Your hands. Work in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure.
I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”
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