1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge cloud 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. 2We 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 honour beside God’s throne. 3Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Hebrews 12:1-4
“Ian, I thought you said you were keeping it all together. But now you have divided it into sections. Which is it? Are you keeping it all together or are you dividing it into sections?” Firstly, I am doing what Paul was adept at doing; prefiguring the questions he would be asked. Secondly, I am doing both; keeping it together and working my way through the segments in detail, the way a good CSUa detective handles the text.
I believe I gave you a broad brush stroke outline of just who the Great Cloud of Witnesses are in the previous Gem. But if you are still a little hazy on just who they are, then allow me to spell it out more clearly. No one has asked yet about the double meaning in the title I used for Gem 2159 so I am going to assume you have worked it out. Do you see that the witnesses and the race go together? The concept of the Christian life being likened to a race or a walk is pretty standard and of course it is a good analogy. But have you also connected the race or walk with the crowd of on-lookers? Of course the two go together. Not only is the idea of the progress we make as Christians living the life exemplified by Christ well suited to running a race or walking the walk. But it also fits well with the notion of those who are watching us. If you want something which spells it out very clearly then look or read the Gems series I wrote on Philippians which I titled Running The Race of Life, a series of eleven Gems on Philippians 3:10-16. [Many have concluded Hebrews was written by Paul because the “cross references” in this letter to running the race. But surely running and walking are classic word pictures of the Christian Life. Many have used this word picture in this way. It’s a gold standard example.]
I am not going to pick up the “running the race’ analogy again, I have already done that. This time I am going to focus on the {crowd / cloud} of witnesses. In the last Gem I suggested the author of Hebrews has given us a word picture filled with analogies. It is clear from what he wrote that he was thinking of all:-
- those he mentioned by name
- those for whom he didn’t have time to tell the details
- those unnamed saints of the past
- those who had been ridiculed, suffered beaten, jailed still living (10:33-34)
- those who have shared this life of faith with us (10:24-25)
Although I have closed the list, in reality the list is open-ended. Just think back on your life and consider those who have been spectators or have been on your encouragement team during your race for life. Yes, they too are included. And of course there is one more to add isn’t there? “Who is that” I hear you whispering? Jesus! Surely He is the silent listener to every conversation, the unseen guest at every meal and the One in the crowd watching as you run your race.
My wife, Tania, has a personal story related to this. I will let her tell you in her own words.
My parents owned a Milk Bar Dairy, a local shop open 7 days a week and long hours, so they didn’t come to school events or sports days. In primary school on one of the school sports day, I was running and came first in my race. I was disappointed that my parents weren’t there to see me win but a neighbour was there. Years later in a meeting at church for inner healing, the speaker prayed at the end that God would bring to mind something He wanted to heal. I was immediately back running my race on that sports day. It was as clear as being back there at the time. Months went by and one night when I couldn’t sleep, I decided to ask the Lord about that memory. There I was running and I was out front and winning but I needed to see if my neighbour was watching and seeing me coming first. So while I was nearing the finish line I turned to look for my neighbour. But there on the stands was JESUS and HE was cheering me on! Suddenly it didn’t matter that my parents weren’t there. Jesus, the creator of the universe was there watching ME. I mattered to Him! That was such an amazing revelation and put me on cloud 9 for months.
Isn’t that the point? Jesus Christ, by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is ever present with us. Remember that the Author of Hebrews has maintained a theme of Christ above all. Jesus is not only far greater than all the prophets, kings and priests along with all others this author has mentioned. Jesus is also your greatest example and ever-present witness as you run this race toward Eternal Life.
But don’t miss the fact that together as the body of Christ in the local church we are witnesses and encouragers of those around us as they too run the race toward Eternal Life. We watch those around us as they attempt to live the life of faith, making faith steps forward as they heed the LORD’s prompting to trust Him and step out in faith. Over the years we have had many tell us, “Your walk of faith has been such an encouragement to us as we have looked on and watched your obedience to Christ.” Isn’t that the point of it all? And isn’t that why the author of Hebrews is including the faith heroes of Scripture along with those who lived alongside the Jewish followers of Christ there in Rome and how they suffered persecution, ridicule and suffering for Christ but did not deny their trust in Him?
Have you noticed how this short section ends? Jesus is one of the witnesses who sees your faith steps but over and above that He is your exemplar as the prime example of suffering! Have you noticed how this writer keeps bringing the theme back to suffering? He has chosen biblical examples who are heroes of faith and yet had failings. Isn’t that an encouragement? He has picked out judges and kings and prophets who struggled yet became examples of faith. He deliberately chose ‘the others’ (from Hebrews 11:35 onwards) who are examples for us to hang in there even when things look bleak, when the fulfilment of the promises of God seem unattainable. Keep on keeping on. It’s not over until Jesus Christ says it’s over. Then in order to make his point clear yet again, this author wrote:-
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 honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Hebrews 12:2-4
Once again Jesus is our prime example of enduring suffering for the sake of winning the prize of eternal life. Jesus is the one who is there in the stands cheering you on, nodding with approval as you press forward in your race toward eternal life. He is your prime encouragement to remain undaunted as you encounter criticism, threats and yes, even persecution and perhaps the ultimate sacrifice of losing your life for His sake and for the Gospel.
It’s still worth it. Just ask Dominggus Kenjam, he’ll urge you on. Or ask anyone of the men and women of faith around. Get close to them, learn from them and then be prepared to take your place in the body of Christ to spur another on to persevere and hang in there until the consummation of all that God has promised, either in this life or in the Life of the Age to Come. I am sure you also realise that there are non-Christians, those who just don’t understand how you can live the life you do. But they too are witnesses and watching on. Take every opportunity to tell those who are looking on skeptically or with questions about the hope within you, about the One who makes it all possible.
a – CSU is a play on the acromyn CSI which I use in the Deeper Bible context to training operatives who become skilled at Chasing (Finding) the Sense Unit. Much like I have done with you readers of the Gems in linking this passage we are investigating with the wider unit of Hebrews 10:19-12:29.
Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. The Message
Hebrews 10:23-25
Every time your faith is put on trial, your character is placed on the witness stand.
A R Bernard
We’re NOT called to be the judge, the prosecutor, or even the defence attorney! “You will be my WITNESSES” Acts 1:8 Got it?
Rick Warren
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
Plato