Today we are going to spend some time on the 1st few verses of Hebrews, Chapter 12. We will view these passages through the overall focus of “Perseverance”. We will look at some of the characteristics of a life of faith which Jesus has demonstrated for us, and how the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to live this life.
Hebrews 12:1-3 has been one of the pivotal passages of scripture in my walk with Jesus, and I thought I understood it pretty well. But from the commentary Pastor Rom gave me, I learned a whole new layer of meaning that I had never understood before. I would like to share some of this with you today, because, to me, it makes the passages even richer and deeper.
First, let’s review the scripture together.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3 (NRSV)
Each verse has a different focus. Verse 1 focuses on life in Christian community. Verse 2 focuses on Jesus’ role in the race of life and Verse 3 focuses on our response.
1. Let’s start with how we live our lives in Christian community:
· Verse 1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us “
o Last week, Pastor Rom spoke about the “great cloud of witnesses”, in his sermon on Faith from Hebrews 11, which is available on the DUMC website. This “great cloud of witnesses” are the saints who have gone before us. Picture an athletic stadium, with all of us on the starting line of a race. The stadium is filled with all of the people that have inspired us in our faith and who love us deeply. These people are alive, aware and present, shouting encouragement as we run the race. Their presence helps us know that we don’t run this race alone.
o We will next look at the Greek words for “weight” and “sin”.
§ “Weight” could be “bulk” or “excess weight”, such as too many irons in the fire or too many varied interests that suck vital energy from us. We are too “busy”
§ Or “weight” could be “a spirit of overconfidence or arrogance”. A spiritual attitude that we have “arrived” and there is no need for additional growth. King David is the classic example of this, and we see other examples often in our world today.
§ The “sin” refers to an attitude of self-orientation. We are focused on our personal needs and the ways of the world, instead of the needs of others and the ways of God.
§ We are to “lay aside” this “weight and sin”, which distract us from giving our best to God. Too often we give Jesus the leftovers, because we let all the other things of life absorb our time, energy and money.
o In different translations of the Bible, the word “perseverance” is sometimes substituted for “endurance” or “determination”. This is the ability to keep going when the going gets tough.
o The Greek word for “race” means “agony”. It refers to a wrestler, who knows the burning fire in their muscles, but keeps in the match, focusing on the opponent despite the pain, waiting for the crucial moment to break the hold and win the match.
· How does this apply to us? Because of the spiritual energy of being part of a Christian community, a “great cloud of witnesses”, we can continue to grow, to “lay aside every weight and sin”. Being part of the church gives us the strength to persevere during difficult situations in our lives. I know several people in this congregation who demonstrate this behavior. They have had really hard things happen in their lives, but they have remained a part of the church family. They have remained in the body of Christ, accepting help with healing from their pain and serving as role models of the love of Jesus for others.
2. Let’s go on to Verse 2, which focuses on the role of Jesus in the race of life
· Verse 2: “…looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
· Jesus is the one who both created the race of a life of discipleship and was the first one to cross the finish line. Jesus, as a leader, is calling us to follow his example and never asks more of us than what he has already done.
· Here are some examples from Jesus’ life that we are called to follow:
o Jesus walked among the sinful, sick and excluded. He knew their inward needs must be met before their outward behavior can begin to change. If we constantly shun these people from our churches, how will they ever get to know Christ?
o To have life, we must abide in Jesus, just as Jesus abides in God. Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches.
o Jesus showed that we must love our enemies. He knew that only patient love, over a long period of time, could break down patterns of hostile behavior. We are called to do the same.
o Jesus demonstrated servant leadership. Other rules lorded over people, but Jesus lorded under people, holding them up to their highest potential. A servant leader does not fear the growing strength of another person, but encourages them to keep growing. The kingdom of God was designed for each of us to grow to our maximum potential, in community with other believers that are also growing.
· Why did Jesus run this race of servanthood and suffering?
o Jesus knew that his life of obedience to God was required for the prophecy of the new covenant with God to be fulfilled. This covenant was laid out in Jeremiah 31:31-34. It is a covenant of the heart, of intimacy with God, with our sins being forgiven and forgotten by a God that loves us more than we could possibly imagine.
o To Jesus, the pain, humiliation and shame of death on the cross was a small price to pay for bringing a new covenant with God into the world.
· How does this apply to us? This race of life is not just about getting through life with the most stuff, focused on our own problems or our own needs. This race is the call to use Jesus as our role-model, our template for life. Our own life experiences, both wonderful and difficult, are the way we learn how to love like Jesus loved and to live like Jesus lived. This relationship with God is why we were created. We were born to love and serve a God that loves us more than we can possible imagine. When we are active participants in this relationship, the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to persevere in any situation.
3. Finally, how should we respond?
· Verses 3: “Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.”
“Consider him” is to take a hard, long look at Jesus, make a complete analysis and do it once and for all. This analysis should help us determine how we live our lives. Will we accept this gift from God? Will we surrender our problems, pride and need for control to Jesus, and accept the strength of the Holy Spirit when we are weary or lose heart? With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can live our lives centered in God and become a source of peace and love to a very troubled world. This, to me, is the ultimate way to “Persevere”.