All Eyes on Jesus

The eyes of people from every background were on Jesus: Herod the King, Pilate the governor, the Roman centurion, women, friends, relatives, the passer-by, the criminals next to him, the high church officials, the Roman soldiers, the Jews that took the bribe to lie, and the average citizen.

Satan never took his eyes off Jesus. The anger, the cruelty, the injustice, the pain, and even death are from his domain and his will.

God’s eyes were on His one and only Son enduring the pain that burned in His own heart. He was willingly sacrificing His greatest love to have our love for eternity (John 3:16).

The eyes of the Spirit hovered providing the strength Jesus needed guiding him to his destiny and willing him to victory.

I took notice of the eyes of the women in this chapter. Luke illustrates in his writings that they never took their eyes off Jesus.  They journeyed with him from Galilee.  They mourned and wailed for him as he walked the Via Della Rosa. They stood by and watched everything enduring the horrific pain of what they witnessed.  They followed Joseph of Arimathea as he carried Jesus to the tomb and watched where he lay him.

What will keep my eyes on Jesus? Is it this loyal and enduring love to the end like these dear women? Will this love be strong enough to face pain and fear like they did? Is it my faith to believe in the things not seen? Or is it to remember what I saw when I first looked at Jesus on the cross myself?

Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  This verse was fulfilled at the cross.  The way: “Father forgive them…” (vs.34); the truth: today you will be with me in paradise” (vs.43); the life: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (vs.46).

When I look upon the cross, I see Jesus with a surrendered spirit; a heart of mercy; a love and desire to take people with him to paradise (and to be with God).  I am inspired and humbled so much by the author and perfecter of my faith who endured the cross and who looked with joy and mercy at me in the future as he triumphed over Satan. I pray that I can walk this walk of faith learning to have his heart as I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).