Some people like to go jogging on a regular basis for sport and exercise. There are others who are part of the track and field teams in high school or college, trying to run as fast as they can for certain distance or around the race track. Then there are those who are long distance runners, marathon runners, pacing themselves for a race of many, many miles. Several cities around the world host annual marathon races. Chicago, where I used to live, hosts a marathon race every October. Perhaps you like to jog or take part in marathons, or perhaps you are like me, and would only run if your life depended upon it. However, there is a race that we all take part in, one that we are in right now. We read about this race in our brief Bible passage today. Let’s see which race the Scriptures are talking about.
As we read our Scripture today from the Book of Hebrews, we see that we are in a race. This is a race that we began the day that we were saved. It is a marathon race, a long distance one, as it will last till the day we die or until Jesus returns. God has marked a spiritual race for us to run. The finish line is eternity with Jesus. How well are we running this race? There are some important things an actual athletic runner needs to know and follow when running an actual marathon, and likewise there are some important things that we, in our spiritual race, need to know and follow, as well.
The author of Hebrews, when writing this passage, first mentions that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (vs. 1). If you’ve ever seen news clips of a city marathon, one thing you will notice is that there are crowds of people all along the route, and they are cheering the runners on as they pass by. That’s important for a runner, as the encouragement they hear helps them keep on going. The author here is referring to fellow believers who have gone on before. Some of them are those mentioned in the previous chapter. Others would be believers from the early days of the church until today, even some that we may have known, who are now with the Lord. They are an active testimony to God’s faithfulness, and are “cheering” us on. Other believers who are still with us today can help “cheer” us on to keep going with their encouragement and prayers.
Another thing that a long-distance marathon runner needs to know is to not carry any heavy weights or anything that might entangle him (vs. 1). A runner certainly doesn’t want to be carrying a backpack filled with rocks or bricks, nor does he want to be wearing any bulky clothes. Do we have any sinful habits that are hindering our spiritual progress? Or perhaps some things that aren’t inherently sinful, but their presence in our life is slowing us down? Get rid of them. It is essential in our race to confess and forsake sin, and get rid of habits and distractions that slow our spiritual growth. This race is lifelong and the finish line is eternity.
When running a race, it is important for the runner to keep his eyes and his mind on the finish line. That is important, too, in our spiritual race. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus (vs. 2). When we take our eyes off of Him to focus on other runners around us, or on the world and its lures, that’s when we can trip, get hurt, or throw ourselves off course. When driving, it is safest to focus our gaze farther down the road, not just 1’ in front of the car. The same with our spiritual walk. We need to focus our eyes on Jesus.
Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith (vs. 2). He initiates and completes our faith. He is both the Source and the Goal. Sometimes our race may become difficult to keep going, but we need to remember what He went through. Jesus endured the cross. His suffering was real and voluntary, and now He is exalted and in authority. Keep looking at Jesus, as He is both our example and our strength. Meditating on Him and what He went through will be an encouragement for our weariness (vs. 3).
In a race, what’s most important is not how one begins, but how one finishes. Prizes are awarded for crossing the finish line, not for great starts. We can look at two contrasting Biblical examples, Mark (John Mark) and Demas. Mark had gone with Paul and Barnabas, but got discouraged and left early (Acts 13:13). Paul was upset with John Mark for that, but later, when he was about to be executed, Paul acknowledged that John Mark was useful for the ministry (II Timothy 4:11). He later wrote the Gospel of Mark. He had a bumpy start, but a very good finish. Demas was called a fellow worker by Paul (Philemon 1:23-24), which indicates a good start. However, later he deserted Paul for worldly things (II Timothy 4:10). He had a bad finish.
You may have had a bumpy start. Perhaps you are still stumbling along the path. Toss off all of the unnecessary weight of sin and distractions, and keep your eyes focused on Jesus. Listen to the crowds cheering you on. Let’s continue our race, living with an eternal perspective, spiritual discipline, and an unwavering focus on Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment