Hebrews 12: 1-3 Phillips Surrounded then as we are by these serried ranks of witnesses, let us strip off everything that hinders us, as well as the sin which dogs our feet, and let us run the race that we have to run with patience, our eyes fixed on Jesus the source and the goal of our faith. For he himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame because of the joy he knew would follow his suffering; and he is now seated at the right hand of God’s throne. Think constantly of him enduring all that sinful men could say against him and you will not lose your purpose or your courage.
Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Observation
Living for Christ is a long-distance journey because it is life long. There are times when the scenery and road are pleasant, just enough breeze to cool you off and the pace not too fast. Then there are times that challenge you from a little to the max, when you are making your way through difficult paths, fraught with hazards, and weather heating up (the “litany of hostility”). It is enduring through these difficult times that builds strength and endurance in our faith, in our ability to finish “this race we are in.”
However, we are not required to just run and finish the race, but to run and finish as Jesus did. That is the challenge. Jesus returned mercy and grace for judgment, washed the feet of His betrayer, loved the Pharisees enough to tell them the awful truth, publicly broke Sabbath rules that did not reflect the heart and purpose of His Father, and so much more – regardless of the personal cost to Him (“he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever”). Like Jesus, we are asked to keep our eyes on the finish, the goal, rather than what we may have to endure along the way.
Impact on Me
There have been both phases of this race in my life – the one showered with blessings, grace and peace (breezing along with the Holy Spirit’s breeze) and those that seemed like an Iron Man through sucking mud (wondering if God has taken His eyes off me). I have had people cheering me on and those who assured me I would never make it through. I have lost dear friends who wanted to split a church, encouraged pastors who felt too wounded to continue, endured false accusations by others in leadership with me at church, learned to worship God regardless of the circumstances and people who wanted to steal my joy in worship and serving, and so much more.
“Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.” In all the phases of my race of this Christian life, I was not perfect, but I did find the Holy Spirit running with me to build the muscle and endurance of my faith no matter what circumstance would try to be the next rock in the road or uphill battle. I repented often and found grace in my transparency and surrender. I took comfort in the fact that Jesus realizes the battles I faced because He became human and understands my soul’s struggle between choosing to react according to my flesh rather than responding according to His Spirit within me. “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.”
Devotion
Lord God, You are the author and finisher of our faith, the One Who is with us and for us through every phase of the race, the One Who became a man to know our innermost workings and then die for us to pay the ultimate price we could never pay. I have slipped up, stumbled and even fell along the way, but You have been faithful to pick me up and encourage me on toward the finish. I am forever grateful. Help me to remember what Jesus endured when I am being accused, condemned and persecuted so I will not lose track of how to run this life race as Jesus did. “Think constantly of him enduring all that sinful men could say against him and you will not lose your purpose or your courage.” In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 