Hebrews 12:3 urges us to “consider” Jesus as we keep our eyes fixed on Him. The Greek word for “consider”, analogizomai, means “to think over, ponder, weigh, compare”. Think about Him. Remember and recognise who He is. Keep looking at Him as your Saviour and High Priest, and as your perfect example.

For the second time in Hebrews 12, the author highlights the endurance of Jesus. He endured the cross (v. 2) and “opposition from sinners” (v. 3). The Greek word for “endure” is hypomenō, which means “to remain or abide under” and “to patiently suffer”. Jesus is the perfect example of such strong endurance; no amount of opposition and suffering would detract Him from the cross. He was unmoved, remaining in a position of obedience no matter how fierce the battle. We are to look to Him especially when the going gets very tough and we are tempted to give up or give in. Peter reminds us that “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). When He was insulted and tortured, He “entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). This is how Jesus endured, and this is how we, too, should endure amid fierce opposition and intense suffering.

Two things must be avoided. We should not “grow weary” and we should not “lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). With relentless suffering, one can get tired and give up, but in Christ we should not. Jesus commended the church in Ephesus: “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:3). To lose heart is to lose our courage and our resolve—which can happen when we turn our eyes away from Christ to focus on the overwhelming waves and buffeting winds (see Matthew 14:30). Because Paul was able to keep his eyes on Jesus, he was able to declare: “We do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1, 16). We, too, can say the same if we look to Jesus, for God has promised that those who hope in the Lord will not grow weary and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).

The writer then brings the focus to the “struggle against sin” (Hebrews 12:4), indicating both our own sin and external trials and persecution, all of which often causes us pain and suffering and tempts us to give up. He tells his readers that they “have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (v. 4), as Jesus did. They must therefore take heart and follow Him faithfully.