Hebrews 12:1-2

“Run The Race”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God,” – Heb. 12:1,2.

I want listeners to imagine, I’ve entered one of those marathon races. I show up at the starting line, get that ID number runners wear.

But, I’m wearing combat boots, two layers of clothes covered by one of those big yellow raincoats and on my head – a fireman’s helmet. Besides attracting attention, I’m not ready to run a race. This says, “lay aside every weight.”

Christians are running the race God has set before us. To do that well, we must avoid the weights, the encumbrances that hold us back. Sin hold us back. And, we must look to Jesus.

It might be tempting to look at the other runners or look at the audience. The best visual mark is the founder and perfecter of our faith.

One more thing. Those witnesses are the people of faith whose stories are told back in chapter eleven. It is not that they are watching us. Rather, they witness to us or testify to us about faith, by their examples.

So, listen again:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”