February 23, 2018 – Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1.

How often our troubles wall us off from others and we think we are all alone suffering on a lonely road. An old spiritual I learned long ago, begins – Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, Nobody knows but Jesus.  Jesus was not alone when He was scourged, shunned, betrayed, and walked the road to Calvary carrying his cross.

A great crowd of witnesses cheer us on when our way becomes filled pain on this earth.  Heaven is filled with those who kept the faith and ran the course. The only impediment to finishing this race is sin.

What do we want to be remembered by? Billy Graham died just yesterday, and his desire was to be remembered as faithful to our champion, Jesus.  What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Romans 8:31-32.

Jesus was raised from the dead, and perfects our faith. He knew the joy of reunion with God. He endured the cross, and is sitting beside God in a place of honor.  Jesus is our example – and we run the race faithfully, an obstacle race through a sinful world. We have glory and joy awaiting us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2