Hebrews 12
Scripture
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Observation-What does it say?
Beginning in Hebrews 10:39 we see a picture of faith that does not give up, despite all the troubles that surround us. This faith is an ongoing confident reliance on God. We learn that we should give up on everything, good or bad, that distracts us from God. We see Christ as the ultimate example of what this means, giving up life and suffering death on the cross. Additionally, we learn to accept suffering in this present life as correction from a loving father. To suffer better, we learn to have discipline like that of an athlete, who is willing to suffer in the short term for their reward.
Understanding-What does it mean?
I used to follow running like most people follow football or baseball. I was on the internet everyday checking stats and message boards about the latest news. One year in particular, I followed a group of three men who were all trying to make it to the finals of the World Championship 5000 meter track race. What made this more interesting is they all trained together, and they had all grown up only miles apart in Wisconsin. They posted videos of their background, and different clips of training and racing leading up to the finals.
One of the hardest videos to watch in the series was a segment on their training in St. Moritz, Switzerland. St. Moritz is a high altitude city and ski resort. I had never heard of St. Moritz before watching the video, but the best way I could describe it is storybook perfection. The mountains in the background are awe inspiring, there is a castle in the city that looks like Disneyland was designed after it, and the forest around the city is lush and green. From the runners' descriptions, it was an outside lover's paradise.
What made it so hard to watch was when they described their daily routine: wake up, do a morning run, eat, take a nap, stay inside, do an afternoon run, eat, go to bed, repeat tomorrow. They all described how bored they were, while they were living in one of the most beautiful places they had ever been. Because of their goal, they couldn't take the chance of getting hurt. Therefore, their coach would not allow them to do anything that could hurt them, including taking a walk to a nearby café.
In the best case scenario, even if those three runners placed first through third, only one of them is the winner. How much more amazing would it be to find that same type of discipline in the pursuit of Jesus. After the first few verses, the author of Hebrews discusses the discipline we need to receive our eternal prize and he describes that prize as a consuming fire. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul writes, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." I have to ask myself this, why not give up everything for Jesus? Ultimately, there is nothing in this life that can bring me the fulfillment that He does.
Life Application
Jesus, only You can satisfy everything that is lacking in me. Because of that, I want to be obsessively consumed with the pursuit of your presence. Until I take my last breath, I want to take the steps necessary to be qualified for the prize. Help me to hear you when you are telling me to let go of something in order to come closer to you. And on the day I meet you, Jesus, I want to hear you say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
-Tyler Galloway