Devotion – Fix your eyes on Jesus

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endures the cross (Hebrews 12:2a)

‘With Jesus I have hope …’

These words echoed in my mind as I sat there, looking at him and that little empty shack he called home. I recalled the words of Hebrews 12:2: ‘Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endures the cross …’

It was a truly unforgettable visit. We listened to Ta Mo as he told us his story of survival. As a young man in the 1970s, he avoided the killing fields and risked minefields and border guards, travelling on foot through the jungle into Thailand. He told his story of living in the jungle for years, before settling down with his wife. He told of losing three of his seven children, and of how he came to have faith in Jesus Christ.

During our visit, we learnt that each week he walked for more than an hour to get to church, seldom missing a worship service. A friend who was with me during that visit asked, ‘What is it about Jesus and the church that draws him to church week after week in spite of such inconvenience?’

Ta Mo told us, ‘I was poor and probably will continue to be poor. Without Jesus, I had no hope but with Jesus, I have hope’.

With his eyes on Jesus and hope in his heart, Ta Mo had endured his suffering. Looking forward to that eternal joy, he faithfully goes to church to worship God and be nourished by his word and sacraments.

May we fix our eyes on Jesus who for our salvation endured the cross so that we do not grow weary or lose heart.

Pray for the Lutheran Church worldwide that they will turn their eyes upon Jesus and the light of his glory and grace. Pray for God’s love and healing for those going through difficult times that they can fix their eyes on Jesus through it all.

Prayer Points

• We give thanks for the wonderful learning opportunities we have experienced this fortnight
• We pray for our families with loved ones overseas who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or political unrest
• We pray for the Hlawn Ceu, Ho and Kwok families

Micah Award

To Susana for showing love and service to her classmates!

To Olivia for showing courage and quality in her work and actions!