Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 19-21
     New Testament Reading: Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up (Hebrews 12:1-3).

The heroes of faith are not spectators watching us from heaven. Rather, their lives are witnesses to us, having successfully overcome. They witness to us by their lives of faith and endurance and set a high standard for us to duplicate.

The Christian life is often likened to a race (1 Cor. 9:24; 2Tim. 4:7). We are to lay aside anything that hinders our progress, particularly every form of sin. This may mean sin in any form, but especially the sin of doubt and unbelief. We must have complete trust in the promises of God and complete confidence that the life of faith is sure to win.

The writer of Hebrews exhorts God’s people to run with endurance and commit to completing the race. The Christian race is not an easy sprint. Everything in the Christian life is not always rosy. Instead, it is a demanding and grueling, sometimes agonizing marathon. It takes a massive effort to finish strong. We must be prepared to press on with perseverance through trials and temptations.

The runner must not look toward other contestants comparing themselves to them, but must always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Jesus serves as our model and motivation. He has provided us with the only perfect example of what the life of faith is like. He not only began the race but finished it triumphantly. For Him, the race stretched from heaven to Bethlehem, then on to Gethsemane and Calvary, then out of the tomb and back to heaven. At no time did He falter or turn back. He kept His eyes fixed on the coming glory when all the redeemed will be gathered with Him eternally. This enabled Him to think nothing of shame and to endure suffering and death.

Certainly, you have observed there are many Believers on the side of the racetrack. They used to be running. There was a time when they kept the pace. But then weariness set in. They didn’t think the run would be this tough, or they were discouraged by a bump and daunted by a fellow runner. Whatever the reason, they don’t run anymore. They may be Christians and may attend church. They may put their dollar in the offering plate and warm a pew, but their hearts are not in the race. They retired before their time. Unless something changes, their best work will have been their first work, and they will finish with a whimper.

By contrast, Jesus’ best work was his final work, and his strongest step was his last step. Our Master is the classic example of one who endured. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say that Jesus endured such hostility from sinners (v3). Jesus endured, implying that He could have let go. The runner could have given up, sat down, gone home. He could have quit the race. But he didn’t. He endured and He did so that you won’t grow weary and give up. Whenever we tend to grow weary and discouraged, we should think of what He went through. Our trials will seem trivial by comparison.