Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Revelation 1 || Sunday, August 16

One of my favorite quotes is from Robert Murray M’Cheyne: “For every one look at self, take ten looks at Christ.” This runs counter to my flesh and yours. We live in a culture that tells us if we could just become a better version of ourselves, we would finally be whole and at peace. But in reality, the best version of ourselves is crucified. What we truly need is not to look deeper within ourselves, but to look outside ourselves to Christ.

This is exactly what we saw this past Sunday in Revelation 1: Jesus, high and lifted up! And what we saw shows us both the posture we should have toward Him and the love He has for us. John, who spent three years walking with Jesus, sees the glorified Christ and writes, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” And what brings a tear to my eye is what happens next. Jesus does not shame him. He does not discard him. Instead, “he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.’” John falls at His feet in fear, and Jesus reaches down and puts His hand on him. We have every reason to tremble before the glory and holiness of Christ, and yet this same Jesus draws near and says, “Fear not.” The One who holds all things together is the One who puts His hand on His people. So walk in that confidence this week: your Friend has His hand on you and the whole world in the other.

Your friend,

Austin Hamilton