- Hebrews 12:2 – Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Author – Chief leader, Captain, Prince, General, Inventor, Source, Cause, Originator.
- Jesus invented the great race of faith, and is the race’s high official. It is also Jesus who surveys the crowd gathering to watch the great race and the runners lining up behind the tape in order to discern the perfect moment to fire the starting gun that kicks off the great marathon of the life of faith in the kingdom of God. At His command, all the runners begin; and they tune their hearts and minds to endure the pain of 26 miles by focusing on the glory of conquering the huge task.
- Brothers and sisters, in preparing for the race, daily and strategically, you must choose only what’s absolutely necessary to carry in order to be as little encumbered as possible for the great task, and cast off the rest, knowing it would be a burden and weigh you down. And you must be a dedicated runner focusing your mind to endure pain over the long-haul by fixing your minds-eye on Jesus standing at the end handing you the prize of a crown of righteousness.
- And as you run, encourage your fellow runners to keep going. We all get wearied at times and may be tempted quit or cheat, and it’s at those times that we need to hear a fellow runner say “look to Jesus, He’s at the finish-line with your prize in His hand. Keep going, you can make it”. And if it’s you who is weary, then be humble and ask a fellow runner who is strong at the moment to give you a boost of encouragement. But above all, remember that Jesus designed the race so that everyone who runs can finish and receive his prize; and it is His great delight to place the victor’s crown upon your head, but you must run all the way to the end to receive it.
Trevor Honeycutt 