Hello, friend! Welcome to part two of this series on fulfilling purpose. If you have not, you can read part one here. What I intend to emphasize here is simple – the only way to surely fulfill purpose is to follow the leader, Jesus Christ. The Bible variously commends the Lord Jesus as the “author and finisher of our faith”, “the firstborn from the dead” and “the forerunner”, who has gone ahead of us into the presence of our heavenly Father. There are at least three reasons why you should keep your eyes on Jesus in your pursuit of purpose as a child of God. We will look at each one in turn, briefly.

First, Jesus lived a life of purpose. What better example to follow in achieving a feat than one who has previously achieved the same? Throughout his earthly life, not only was he clear about his purpose, but he was also fully committed to fulfilling it. Even more interesting is that His purpose was an enabler for our purpose. As He explains in Luke 19:10: “…the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” And the proof that He fulfilled His purpose is in the fact that you and I have access to the heavenly Father today through His name. Jesus lived for purpose and fulfilled His purpose.

Next, Jesus lived the only perfect life we know. Free of sin, faults or blemishes, His life represents the perfect example of relationship with the Father that we all need to fulfil purpose. His words say it all…” the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.” (John 5:19). What Jesus did was an outflow of his relationship with the Father. He constantly related with and learnt from his heavenly Father, taking bearing from there. His life was on track because His focus was on His Father. If we keep our eyes on Him, we will always have our focus in the right place as well.

Lastly, we should keep our eyes on Jesus because He is always alive to intercede for us. He is personally invested in our lives, having lived in the human body, and knowing what it is to be in our shoes, eventually paying the ultimate price to reconcile us to God through His death. Jesus opened the door into God’s presence for us with His blood that atoned for our sins. Our efforts to live a life of purpose would be frustrated if we did not have a heavenly perspective. But that is what Jesus offers us. Keeping our eyes on him helps us to be mindful of all we have received through Him.

From the lips of Jesus come words of instruction and guidance that shape our purpose. Those same lips utter words that assure us of victory over the devil and the system of this present world. From His heart comes a burning passion that enables us to cultivate discipline without rigidity. From His wounded hands come assurance that our debt of sin has been paid, and indeed we are free from guilt. From His eyes come a reminder that we are eternally loved despite our imperfections. To keep our eyes on Jesus means living in total freedom and complete safety, regardless of whatever happens.

Jesus has ascended into heaven as the first perfect human to fulfil purpose having lived a sin-free life. His life, teaching and instructions provide us practical examples of how to fulfill purpose. He did not mind the obstacles he faced. Instead, He ignored the shame and disgrace, and focused on the heavenly reward set before Him to finish His race. He loved his enemies and detractors, praying for them even in His suffering. No greater love was ever shown than that. And that example is a challenge to you and me, as we look to Jesus for daily guidance in our journey to fulfill purpose.