Looking Unto Jesus by J.C. Ryle
"Looking unto Jesus" is a very simple expression: it is soon spoken and soon written; it contains no words hard to be understood. But it is an expression rich in contents, and filled to the brim with food for thought. Here is a brief account of the Christian's character: he is one who "looks to Jesus." Here is the secret of running successfully the race that leads toward heaven: we must he ever "looking to Jesus." This is the way to begin well; this is the way to go on prosperously; this is the way to end in peace. Here is the photograph of patriarchs and prophets, of apostles and martyrs, of holy fathers and holy reformers, of holy saints, in every land and age: they were all men who "looked to Jesus." Here is the marrow of all creeds, and articles, and confessions of guilt: to "look to Jesus." Reader, if you and I wish to be saved, let us begin by asking ourselves the simple question, Am I looking to Jesus?
"Looking unto Jesus" is a very simple expression: it is soon spoken and soon written; it contains no words hard to be understood. But it is an expression rich in contents, and filled to the brim with food for thought. Here is a brief account of the Christian's character: he is one who "looks to Jesus." Here is the secret of running successfully the race that leads toward heaven: we must he ever "looking to Jesus." This is the way to begin well; this is the way to go on prosperously; this is the way to end in peace. Here is the photograph of patriarchs and prophets, of apostles and martyrs, of holy fathers and holy reformers, of holy saints, in every land and age: they were all men who "looked to Jesus." Here is the marrow of all creeds, and articles, and confessions of guilt: to "look to Jesus." Reader, if you and I wish to be saved, let us begin by asking ourselves the simple question, Am I looking to Jesus?
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faith of the Son of God." (Philip. 1:21 ; Colos. 3:4, 11; Ephes. 2:14;<br />
Gal. 2:20.) To each and all of these sayings, one common remark<br />
applies. They are rich in thought and food for reflection. They<br />
contain far more than a careless eye can see on the surface.<br />
In the phrase "looking unto <strong>Jesus</strong>," it is useful and interesting to<br />
remember that the Greek word which, in our English Bible, we<br />
render "looking," is only found here in the New Testament.<br />
Literally translated it means "looking off," looking away from<br />
other objects to one, only one, and looking on that one with a<br />
steady, fixed, intent gaze. And the object we are to look at, you<br />
will observe, is a PERSON—not a doctrine, not an abstract<br />
theological dogma—but a living Person; and that Person is <strong>Jesus</strong><br />
the Son of God. How much matter for thought lies there!<br />
Creeds and confessions are the necessary invention of a<br />
comparatively modern age. The first and simplest type of an<br />
apostolic early Christian was a man who trusted, and loved, a<br />
living Divine Person. Of head knowledge, and accurate<br />
theological definitions, perhaps he had but little store. Very likely<br />
he would have failed a basic exam in one of our theological<br />
schools. But one thing he did know: he knew, believed, loved, and<br />
would have died for, a living Savior, a real personal Friend in<br />
heaven, even <strong>Jesus</strong>, the crucified and risen Son of God. Well<br />
would it be for the Churches of the nineteenth century, if we had<br />
more of this simple Christianity among us, and could realize<br />
more the Person of Christ.<br />
But, after all, the grand question which rises out of the text is<br />
this: What is it that we are to look at in <strong>Jesus</strong>? If we are to live<br />
habitually fixing the eyes of our mind on Christ, what are the special<br />
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