1. As we, on earth, journey on, we need to be looking unto Jesus because he is the author and finisher of our faith. Our faith rests on him alone and he made it so perfect that we do not need any other faith. Our faith is complete in him. Christ brought us to the faith, he is the author. He is also the finisher of our faith by the reward that he brings to those who run the Christian faith to the end. He is to look into the faith of every one and reward us accordingly at the end. Let us look at the scripture: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, as is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2.
Five points here for which we should be looking at him. (i) He is the author and finisher of our faith. (ii) He endured the pains and agony of the cross because of our sins. (iii) He despised all the shame that was caused on him, not minding it. (iv) It was a vicarious battle he fought that all sinners might be saved. (v) He is gloriously set down at the right hand of God. So we have no other argument than to be looking unto Jesus Christ.

2. What perpetually obstructs man from looking on to Jesus? Back to the Scriptures again: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Heb. 12:1.
Note: There are witnesses, evidences around us to prove Christ as the Saviour, as Christ whom we should look unto. We hear from preachers, from the apostles, radio, television, crusades, sermons that our faith should be built on Christ alone. This cloud of witnesses around us should spur us to looking unto Jesus. His disciples saw him, saw his work and preached him.
Therefore we should lay aside anything that wants to obstruct us from looking unto Jesus: “Let us therefore lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Heb. 12:1.
Weight pulls or drags down and does not allow upward movements. Weight can also draw back and does not allow any forward movement. The question: What are those things that pull down your soul or spirit as you desire to look unto Jesus alone in your life? What are the things that tend to drag you backward as you want to press forward in your Christian race. Paul spoke of pressing forward. That is what it should be in the Christian race: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13-14.

3. Sin is evil, deadly and it easily besets man, who should be looking unto Jesus. Sin endangers and ensnares Christians and prevents people from constantly looking unto Jesus. What should be done then? Lay them aside. When you lay sin aside you do not allow it to come your way at all or else it will obstruct you again.
The greatest problem facing man is disobedience to God’s word. Instead of looking unto Christ, they are looking unto how to get more money fraudulently into their accounts. Instead of looking unto Jesus, they are looking unto beautiful women lustfully here and there. Instead of looking unto Jesus, they are more inclined to be looking unto the next political position to get whether by hook or by crook, by any means. Sins that easily beset you has to be laid aside. Some refuse to admit sins that easily beset them. That is insincerity of heart. They know it but refuse to lay it aside. Some fall easily into stealing, some into telling lies, some into immoral talks, fornication or adultery. Some easily fall into the sin of hatred for others, or quarrelling and fighting. Some are easily beset by the sin of backbiting, gossiping and slander smoking and alcohol. They all should be absolutely laid aside. They should not be allowed to be weight that draws us back from looking unto Jesus.

4. When all those sins that easily beset us are laid aside we have one more task; it is the task of running a race: “…Let us lay aside every weight… and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Heb. 12:1. The race has to be run with patience. Obstacles occur when the race is not run with patience.
Many have destroyed their race with impatience. They are not patient enough to still continue looking unto Jesus but they have formed alliance with Satan who has falsely promised them to give them abundant money, wealth. Some have received false promises from Satan that he would give them children, that they would win that election, that they would occupy this position or that position. But they failed at the end.
So never be in alliance with Satan, but set aside all sins that easily beset you and sincerely be looking unto Jesus, trusting him and running the race with patience. Jesus Christ will answer you because he is the author and finisher of our faith.