Hebrews 12:1–3
“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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
What to expect
Every follower of Jesus has ideas of what to expect. Often a person becomes interested in Jesus and they come to faith because they see the benefits of faith. I think at times preachers talk more about the great benefits than anything else.
In Psalm 103:2 the Psalmist writes, “Praise the Lord o my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” And then for the next 20 verses he lists the benefits.
If we sell the Christian life in terms of only benefits, we have told the truth but not the whole truth. Hebrews 12 is a reality check. The words of this chapter inform our expectations so we can navigate life in a better way.
We have a couple of distorted ideas of Christianity that Hebrews 12 brings reality into focus. There’s the idea that the Christian life is supposed to be struggle free. And the other idea is that Christianity is a conversion experience that a person goes through that’s their ticket to heaven. While I absolutely affirm that for most people there is a moment of conversion, I can’t affirm biblically that that is the sum total of the Christian life.
Let us run the race
Central to this passage is the phrase in verse 1: “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Central to this phrase is the word “race.”
I don’t know what comes to mind when you hear the word “race”—likely the school track where you ran your heart out in the 100m dash. Or maybe you participated in a marathon and that’s how you think of a race.
The word that is translated “race” is the word “agon” from which we also get the English word “agony.”
For the writer to use this word he is referring to their national competition where athletes competed, but it also refers to any struggle or contest. Some commentators believe it is a reference to the pentathlon event, which was for high level athletes in the ancient Greek Olympics. An athlete competing in the pentathlon was considered more well-rounded than any other athlete.
That’s the Christian life—it’s a race. There is struggle and training. There are opponents who will do everything in their power to pin you down or get you to tap out. It’s a theme that shows up in Paul’s letters to the churches.
In Philippians 2 and then again in chapter 3 Paul refers to running the race and straining toward the finish line. He’s concerned for himself that he does not slack off as he saw the finish line ahead. In what would be his farewell words before his death, Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
Paul speaks of the Christian life not as a walk in the park but as a fight. There is no coasting. It’s a race to the finish line.
In verses 1–3 we see three things about this race we’re in that’ll help us finish it:
The race can be won
Verse 1 begins with “therefore.” When this letter was written it wasn’t written in chapters and verses. Our chapter 12 is a continuation of the heroes of faith in Chapter 11.
The message; you’re not the first one to experience the struggle. There is an impressive list of people who struggled and stayed in the race when they had reasons to quit.
Every one of the Hebrews 11 heroes of faith pressed on and persevered and obeyed God and trusted God to the end. Surrounding us in our race are a whole list of people whose lives demonstrate that the race can be won.
When you consider the 17 individuals and groups of named and unnamed heroes, their lives say to us that no matter what you are facing and no matter what is challenging you, God will bring you through it. Trusting Him and walking faithfully with Him is worth it.
So, when the race gets difficult—when you are tempted to quit—consider that there are millions who have gone before you who faced the same stuff you’re facing, and they kept on going. Their faith leaves an amazing legacy for you that will strengthen and encourage those who come after you.
The race requires intentionality
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
Not so many years ago a runner in a race would wear baggy shorts and a looser fitting shirt. You watch an Olympic running event today and the clothing is tight and minimal to cut off a millisecond of time.
There are two categories of things to put off: everything that hinders and sin that so easily entangles. That distinction is noteworthy. There are things that are weights that hinder us and slow us down. Sometimes it’s a lifestyle choice, or something like regret, or aspects of your personality that hold you back.
When evaluating your life choices, the question to ask is not, “What’s wrong with this?” A better question is “Will this help me run the race better?” There are weights that you are carrying that you can throw off.
And then there are sins that so easily entangle. Sin is like a rope that is wrapped around my ankles fully intent on taking me out of the race. To hold on to sin is to set yourself up for a fall.
We lay aside sins as an act of the will. Saying “no” to sin is sometimes difficult but always necessary. It’ll trip you up.
Fix your eyes on Jesus
The phrase that is translated as “fix your eyes” is one word in the original but it requires a phrase in English because it carries the idea of turning your eyes away from other things and fixing them on something.
In a race you are focused on one thing. And that’s true for us in this race called the Christian life. For us, Jesus is the finish line. Rivet your attention on Him.
We’ve all seen people who got their eyes off of Jesus. Some get their eyes on how others around them were running the race and got caught up with comparisons with other runners. Some get focused on someone who hurt them, and it got them off course.
Jesus is our fixed position of reference. Fixing your attention on Him anchors your faith and His example is the necessary motivation that’s needed to run the race with endurance. He’s the pioneer of our faith. He’s shown us what faith looks like.
He endured the unspeakable shame and agony of the cross for us so that we could have life in Him. Look at verse 3 which says, “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you don’t grow weary and lose heart.” That’s the message for us. And particularly for those who are going through opposition for your faith, or you have taken your eyes off of Jesus, remember to “come on back.”
So don’t lose heart. Fix your eyes on the only One who will take you through to the other side.
— Notes from Pastor Marvin Wojda’s sermon on July 11th, 2021
CLICK HERE to watch the Hebrews 12 (part 1) sermon on YouTube.