Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT
[1] “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. [3] Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

Based on the objective truth of what God has done through Jesus, there is always a “therefore”. Therefore is the bridge between then and now, the reason for a positive response for what has been accomplished for the readers…and us.

“Therefore”, here, is also the witness of those who have proved the merits of remaining faithful. The great cloud of witnesses, as some interpret this passage, are not those who are sitting in heaven, watching us struggle and urging us on. These witnesses are, rather, those who, by their own lives of faithfulness and obedience to Jesus, regardless of the cost, bear witness to the value of persevering. The reward far outweighs the cost.

The real issue is, Jesus is the model for our endurance. He never gave up. For Him, there was a reward so great that it was worth every moment of agony, every drop of blood, to push through to the completion of His mission.

His motivation to endure was the joy that awaited Him. What was it that beckoned Him? Two great rewards…the honour of being crowned “Lord” and the reward of a vast family of brothers and sisters like Himself whom He rescued from eternal damnation.

Isaiah 53:10-12 NLT
[10] “But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. [11] When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. [12] I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.”

So says Isaiah.

We must fasten our attention on Jesus rather than on the present circumstances, no matter how painful or life threatening. The reason we falter is that we often fail to take the long look. Imagine if a young student, entering university to study to become a medical doctor, falters when he faces the first examination. Without an eye on the goal, the difficulties he faces through the long years of study and testing, would surely tempt him to give up. So too, only as we keep our attention on Jesus, follow His example, rely on His grace, and determine in our hears to keep going, will we ever win the prize.

The greatest obstacle to victory is we, ourselves. We trip ourselves up by the very sins we engage in that entangle us and make us lose focus. What kind of sins? For most of us, the so-called big sins, like murder, theft, adultery, etc., are not our problem but…what about the sins we think are little sins, far more subtle but equally damaging, thoughts and attitudes that cloud our minds and, subtly, cause us to become weary or veer off course.

From God’s perspective, whatever we engage in that does not flow from our trust in Jesus is sin. Sin is, in essence, the fruit of unbelief. So, what we think that is not of God, is sin. What we think leads to what we say and do. The source of sin is in our minds. The solution? Change the way we think.

Romans 14:23b NIV
[23] “… everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

This perspective shows us that sin is much more invasive, pervasive, and subtle than we realise. The antidote to our attitude of independence from Jesus, even in the seemingly most insignificant of decisions and actions, is to be fixated, yes, fixated on Jesus. His example, together with His presence in us by His Spirit, is the guarantee that we shall endure to the end, just as He did. He brushed aside every temptation to quit, every test of His faithfulness to His Father, to the Word, and to His goal, every obstacle the enemy threw in His path, yes, even every opportunity to strike back at His opponents…and so must we.

How did Jesus overcome?

1 Peter 2:21-24 NIV
[21] “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

That’s it? That’s the key! Jesus kept His focus on the Father. We, in turn, must keep our eyes on Him. Look at Him… His compassionate and merciful nature, His commitment to His goal, His unwavering reliance on the Father, His knowledge of and obedience to the Word. Who could fault Him?

Just as Jesus is the reason we are saved, so Jesus is our hope to endure. He overcame and so will we because He is in us and we are one with Him. Only this attitude will keep us on track and move us safely to the end of our journey.

John 15:5 NLT
[5] “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

To be continued…