S - 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, 2 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.
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
O - Commentary:
let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin … trips us up. It entangles us and restricts us from moving by faith...
• Because of the joy: Or Instead of the joy. • disregarding its shame: Crucifixion was the most shameful form of execution, meant to humiliate and torture the person crucified. It was used only for slaves and criminals who were not Roman citizens. Christ treated that shame as if it were nothing. • seated in the place of honor: The author again alludes to Ps 110:1; through endurance, Jesus reached the place of ultimate honor at the right hand of God.
New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Heb 12:1-2.
A – Perseverance.
When I trained for my marathon, everybody talked about “bonking.” That’s when you hit the wall. Your legs go dead, your mind tells you to quit, and your will to finish disappears.
Every follower of Jesus has bonk days. Prayer feels empty. Obedience feels heavy. The finish line feels a thousand miles away.
Jesus knew that wall. In Gethsemane He prayed, “Let this cup pass from me.” Then He got up and walked toward the cross anyway. The word “endured” literally means “to remain under.” He stayed under the weight. He didn’t step off the course.
So how do we keep from bonking in our faith?
We take the next step, even when it’s hard. Not the whole race. Just the next step.
And we keep our eyes on Jesus. He’s our model, our Savior, and our Lord. He already ran this race, and He’s waiting at the finish.
R – Lord Jesus, You are our Savior and our Lord. Today we fix our eyes on You as we run the race in front of us. When we hit the wall, give us the perseverance to take one more step. Thank You for meeting us right where we are on the journey. Amen.
