Being the Church #38

The writer of Hebrews diligently listed reason after reason why his readers should not lose heart and give up on following Jesus.  Faith in Him is superior in every way to their old way of life or anything else out there had to offer. He then gave this classic illustration in chapter 12:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

The writer says: "Let's step back and see the big picture."  As we said yesterday, followers of Christ need to realize and remember that they are not alone: we are surrounded by encouragers and those who have gone before and are waiting at the finish line.  Also, like Jesus told His disciples when He sent them out two by two: travel light. Don't try to carry the burdens, and definitely don't hold on to those tempting sins: they will just slow you down and trip you up. Finally, keep your focus.  We as the church can get so easily distracted from the goal. Christ is the Goal: where He is, what He is like, and how He ran the race. He was not distracted by sin or by hostility or any bumps in the road; He completed the race on our behalf.  Let us run on and run together.