Looking to Jesus

These Hebrew believers were experiencing some forms of persecution. MacDonald and Farstad (Believer’s Bible Commentary) noted this in light of the fact that these believers had forsaken Judaism for Christ. Thus they were facing bitter religious and social opposition. There was a danger that they might construe their distresses as indications of God’s displeasure. If this were to happen, they might become disheartened and cave in under the pressure. Worst of all, they might be tempted to give in to the religious pressures and return to the law, the temple and the sacrificial system.

Continuation is the emphasis of this first paragraph of Hebrews twelve, and ‘pressing on’ is presented in the metaphor of a race. If one is to run a race successfully, he must be focused on the goal and determined to endure. Continuing the Christian race likewise will require single-mindedness concentration on Christ and endurance throughout (Heb. 12:1-4). But how should the Christian go about this arduous undertaking? First it is by considering the great cloud of witnesses regarding both their example and limitations (12:1). One should continue by imitating Christ’s example of endurance as the perfect Model for Christians (12:2-3). Then thirdly, one can successfully complete his race by remembering their struggles could be much worse and their battles far more intense (12:4). Categorically, careful thought and consideration should be given to what Christians must do to run their race well. There are four primary considerations.

CONSIDER THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES

The life of faith has been wonderfully and adequately demonstrated by this “great cloud” of Old Testament “witnesses” as disclosed in chapter 11 (Heb. 12:1). They illustrate what it means to obey God in spite of the circumstances. What an inspiration it is to read about the great things they experienced and endured because they believed God and acted on His truth. These Hebrew believers should remember also how many of these extraordinary believers from Old Testament times suffered greatly as they obeyed God. Suffering for righteousness sake is a part of the faith journey. This realization drives home the point that their sufferings were not unique. Many of the “witnesses” (Hebrews 11) suffered severely as a result of their loyalty to the Lord, yet they endured (11:36-39). Therefore, the witnesses inspire others to persevere through their own grueling and arduous struggles. The witnesses do not illustrate quitting.

Their exercise of faith demanded unflinching perseverance. This is in spite of the fact that they enjoyed significantly inferior privileges! How then can a Christian who has access to God, a great high priest, a new and living way, a better tabernacle, a perfect sacrifice, a greater prophet, a new testament, an eternal inheritance, and a complete faith cave in to human opposition and cower away from a bold profession of Christ Jesus the Lord. Indeed the “better things” of Christianity have come (11:40). With greater privilege comes greater responsibility!

CONSIDER RUNNING THE RACE WITH PATIENCE

The Christian life is a race that requires discipline and endurance. The Lord with the utmost thoughtfulness has designed a course or race for each child of God to run. It is “set before us.” It is not a competition against other believers, but a challenge to remain on stride with God’s expressed and personalized plan for each believer. Knowing the Lord designed their race course heartens the believer to continue the race with “patience”—undaunted persistence. The race was not contrived by a detached tyrant, but premeditated by a faithful, merciful, and empathetic Christ.

As Christians run, they must strip themselves of everything that would impede their progress. Newell said (Hebrews Verse by Verse), “runners strip themselves of every weight possible, wearing the lightest clothing, the lightest shoes! Many a weight carrier who eventually get to Heaven, will be passed on the way by those who have laid weights aside.” “Weights” are things that may be harmless in themselves and yet hinder progress according to MacDonald and Farstad in the Believer’s Bible Commentary. A Christian’s weights could include material possessions, family ties, the love of comfort, deference to convenience, and lack of mobility. In the Olympic races, there is no rule against carrying an over coat, extra changes of clothing, snow boots, several pieces of luggage, and a backpack with an abundance of food and beverages, but the runner can never win the race that way. Christians in a race desiring to continue their profession of Christ must run light. 

Christians must also lay aside the sin which so easily besets and ensnares them. Certainly this could refer to any form of sin—rebellion, unbelief, or transgression. Sins of omission as well as commission can readily be included in this admonition. Newell noted, “Sin is as natural to the flesh as it is for an animal to breathe. And the moment the eye is taken off Christ, you have the certainty of the sin besetting you.” However, the essential and most particular idea of sin here likely refers to the sin of unbelief. Christians are called upon to believe God regardless; to follow Christ outside the gates to bear His reproach. They must stop toying around with the ideas of compromise, quitting, or apostasy. They must have complete trust in the promises of God and entire confidence that the life of faith is sure to win.

Believers must guard against the notion that the race is an easy sprint. The idea that things will be easy, nice, cordial, uncomplicated, and free of opposition must evaporate in the sunlight of reality—the Christian life is no plush experience. No, believers must be prepared to press on with resolute and unwavering tenacity through all trials and temptations.

CONSIDER FOLLOWING CHRIST’S EXAMPLE OF FAITH

Christians’ supreme Model in the faith race is the Lord Jesus. Though the “great cloud of witnesses” are admirable, Christ is the focal point in the most complete sense of the Christian race. The “great cloud of witnesses” did not experience the fullness of the promises of God (11:39, 40), therefore they are limited as examples. The Lord Jesus; however, is the most complete faith Racer and believers can confidently look to Him. Therefore, throughout the race, Christians should look away from every other object and keep their eyes riveted on Christ Jesus, their foremost Runner (Heb. 12:2).

Newell (Hebrews Verse by Verse, pg. 402) noted that the Lord Jesus “Himself had perfect faith!” He is “the Author,” ‘Pioneer,’ or ‘File Leader’ of their faith in the sense that He has provided them with the only perfect and complete example of what the life of faith is like. Christ’s example of faith is unique and stands out from the previously mentioned examples. Thayer said of Christ, “Who in the pre-eminence of His faith far surpassed the examples commemorated in Chapter 11.” Jesus “pioneered” the path of faith Christians should follow. They must look objectively at Christ Jesus as the most outstanding “Witness” to the life of faith!

Jesus Christ is also the “Finisher” of believers’ faith. He is the ‘Perfecter’ or ‘Completer’ of the life of faith. He not only began the race but finished it triumphantly. He “perfected” the way of faith since He reached its end successfully. But how did the Lord Jesus exercise faith? In what way did He model the faith life?

Essentially the Lord Jesus kept His eye on “the joy that was set before Him,” (12:2) and as a result He obtained an eternal throne (1:9). Just as each Christian has a certain race “set before” them to run, Christ had a special object of joy “set” before Him. The Lord Jesus set Himself to the course with discipline and endurance. He completed every grueling inch of it to the glory of the Father and the redemption of sinners. He actually finished His course, while the Old Testament worthies will do so in the future. In so doing the Lord Jesus “please God” “by faith!” He even “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). MacDonald and Farstad (The Believer’s Bible Commentary) quipped,

For Him the race course 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 would be gathered with Him eternally. This enabled Him to think nothing of shame and to endure suffering and death. Today He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Believers must keep their sharing and participation in that “joy” and glory clearly in view. After enduring the cross and scorning its shame, Jesus assumed that triumphant position at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12). This foreshadowed and signifies His and the believers’ final victory (Heb. 1:13-14). But don’t miss the point of points here: Jesus pleased God by enduring the hardness by faith. Yes, the Lord Jesus completely satisfied His Father’s holy will. He was ‘pleasing to God’ in the utmost and here once again as throughout the book of Hebrews, God gives His “good report” (Heb. 11:2, 6, 39) about Christ the Author and Finisher of Faith! Christians are to follow this Example of submission, obedience, and “please God” also by continuing in faith. Christ did not draw back, nor must they.

Believers are to rivet their spiritual eyes on Christ and never let them stray from His glorious Example. If they fail to recognize what horrid trials He endured, they could easily become “wearied and faint” in their minds (12:3). It is this consideration of Christ’s sufferings that heartens. This consciousness of the Son of God writhing in agony of body and soul to fulfill God’s will is a most potent medicine. Not only this, but coupled with Christ’s joy and glory that followed, Christians spirits are raised to continue (Heb. 12:3)!

CONSIDER NOTING THAT THINGS COULD BE WORSE

Someone has wisely noted that things could be a lot worse. This was expressed as an incentive to be thankful. Walvoord and Zuck (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) noted, “Nothing is more natural for a person than to overestimate the severity of his trials. The writer did not want his audience to do that.” Thus this is an appeal to embrace a clear and accurate perspective about what they have endured thus far. Compared to what the Lord Jesus went through, no Christian has room to feel too much is required of him or her as they face oppositions.

Now the picture or metaphor changes from a race to a fight against sin—a struggle to counter evil and unrighteousness (12:3). The word “striving” (12:4) is used to introduce this shift in emphasis. MacDonald and Farstad (Believer’s Bible Commentary) said,

Their undaunted Captain is the Lord Jesus; no one ever endured such hostility from sinners as He. Whenever they have a tendency to grow weary and discouraged, they should think of what He went through. Their trials will seem trifling by comparison.

Christians are indeed engaged in a perpetual fight—intense war—against sin (12:4). That is believers must continue in conflict against “sinful men” who opposed them. They must also strive against their own sinful tendencies; resisting all unholy impulses in order to maintain a steadfast Christian profession. Newell observes, “Blessed is the man that has made no inner truce with sin!” Yet they have not resisted to the point of bloodshed, that is, to the point of death. Squarely Christ Jesus did!  Their present situation was indeed challenging, but conditions could deteriorate further. Though things were difficult, they could get a great deal worse. Still they must endure with Christ always before them as their central focus and the joy of being with Him in glory will strengthen them. How are they to pull off such a challenge? The answer is obvious…by looking unto Jesus by faith. He has already successfully blazed the trail before every believer and they must follow Him to the finish line by faith. There enthroned in Heaven, Christ bears testimony to the fact that though the journey is hard, it is still worth it in the end. So, run your race with patience.