Hebrews 12 begins with the words “therefore,” referring to the previous chapter and the heroes of faith mentioned there. In the first verse of chapter 12 we are encouraged to imitate them. How? Stripping ourselves of everything that prevents us from running and persevering in the race of faith.
Therefore, we too, who are surrounded by such a great multitude of witnesses, let us cast off the ballast that hinders us, especially the sin that besets us, and let us run with perseverance the race that lies ahead.
(Hebrews 12:1)
As Christians we are surrounded by people who watch us and that is why our good testimony is so important. However, this verse refers to something broader. The Reina Valera version speaks of a “cloud of witnesses” that makes us think of heaven. Who are those witnesses? Those who during their time on Earth gave faithful testimony about what it means to live a life of faith.
The heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 were good witnesses for the Lord. They persevered even in the midst of the most difficult situations and did so until death. In the same way, we must give ourselves completely to the task of being faithful witnesses of our Lord before all those around us.
The author of Hebrews compares the Christian life to a race. Every good athlete knows that the lighter his load, the better his performance will be. Running requires effort, perseverance and sacrifice. Athletes are willing to go on a diet, maintain an exercise routine, and sacrifice themselves in many ways in order to achieve an award. What sacrifices are we willing to make in our race with Christ?
We have to get rid of the sin that hinders us! All sin is a burden that does not allow us to move forward. We must see which are the sinful areas that are most difficult for us to overcome and ask the help of the Holy Spirit to gain victory over them. This requires perseverance, it is not easy. But by giving full permission to the Spirit to work in our lives, we begin to grow in faith and obedience to the Father. This is how victory is achieved.
Fixing our gaze on Christ
Let us fix our gaze on Jesus, the initiator and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy that awaited him, endured the cross, despising the shame that it meant, and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:2)
Our main focus must be Jesus. We must fix our eyes on Christ because he is our example and our goal. The runner who is distracted looking at others does not reach the finish line first. He loses his rhythm and veers off course because he is looking where he shouldn’t.
So it is with the life of the Christian. Looking at Jesus we stop looking at the superfluous things or the people that distract us from the purpose that the Lord has for us. Fixing our gaze on him implies the decision to follow his example, demonstrating with our words and attitudes the importance we give to him.
3 very important things about Jesus
Hebrews 12:2 tells us the following about Jesus:
- Jesus is the initiator (the author) and perfecter of our faith. What does that mean? It means that our faith begins and ends with him. Jesus is the ground or foundation of our faith. In reality, everything has its beginning and its end in him. Jesus, being God incarnate, is the author of life. And he is the object of our faith because it is thanks to his work on the cross that we receive salvation and eternal life.
- Jesus endured unspeakable suffering for love of us. Jesus endured death on the cross despising the shame that came with it. It was a very painful and humiliating death, they saved it for the worst criminals. Jesus was willing to suffer all that pain and be mistreated for love of us, for the joy of seeing us redeemed. His love for you and me was so much bigger and more important to him than all the shame and pain they put him through.
- Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. This means that Jesus, although he allowed himself to be humiliated and mistreated on the cross for love of us, now has all the authority and power. He is risen, he lives and he will win. Hebrews 10:10-13 explains it like this:
And by virtue of that will we are sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, offered once for all.
Every priest celebrates worship day after day by repeatedly offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this priest, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool.
(Hebrews 10:10-13)
Courage for those who keep their eyes on Jesus
So, consider the one who persevered in the face of so much opposition from sinners, lest you grow weary and lose heart.
(Hebrews 12:3)
The Hebrew Christians to whom this letter was addressed were experiencing persecution and difficulties. The author urges them to think about Jesus and all the suffering, hostility, and opposition that he endured while still being God. But his suffering was not eternal and ours will also end. We will have difficulties along the way, opposition and struggles, but we must not lose heart. In Christ we receive strength to face the challenges that life presents us. He is our example of perseverance in faith.
Paul wrote the following to Timothy to encourage him in the midst of his struggles, and these words can serve as inspiration:
Don’t stop remembering Jesus Christ, descendant of David, raised from the dead. This is my gospel, for which I suffer to the point of wearing chains like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. So I endure everything for the good of the elect, so that they too may attain the glorious and eternal salvation that we have in Christ Jesus.
This message is credible:
If we die with him, we will also live with him;
if we resist, we will also reign with him.
(2 Timothy 2:8-12a)
The road may seem very hard, but keep your eyes on Jesus and on the precious future that you will enjoy with him for all eternity.
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