“Consider Him” – Hebrews 12.1-3

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

I am a huge sports fan and I love using sports as a metaphor for life. The author of Hebrews draws on athletic imagery for this beautiful exhortation at the beginning of Hebrews 12. After looking back in time to commend those who are members of the “faith hall of fame,” the author reminds us that this “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds us. They are spectators, or witnesses, in a couple of different ways. First, they are there to cheer us on as we run the race of life. We are running with their encouragement and we run hoping for their approval. Secondly, they are examples to us of how to run the race.

As we run, we must not let anything hinder us. Ancient Roman athletes ran in the nude. They did so in order to run unencumbered. Clothing got in the way. In the same way, sin hinders our race. It causes us to stumble and fall. We can’t run well with sin wrapped around our legs. We must throw off everything that slows us down and sin is the primary hindrance.

We must run with perseverance because the race is not a sprint. It is a marathon. It won’t be short or easy. Perseverance is essential. Our forerunner, Jesus, has marked out the race but it will take endurance to complete it. However, if we keep our eyes on Him, just as a good runner keeps their eyes ahead on the finish line, we can do it. He ran perfectly. He endured to the point of death on the cross and as a result of His perseverance and endurance He now sits at the Father’s right hand.

If we consider all those who have come before us who have run well and are enthusiastically cheering us on and showing us the way, we can complete the race running well. As we consider Him who endured so much yet finished the race, our race becomes much easier. He has shown us the way. He lives in us giving us the strength to keep running. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and consider Him “so that we do not grow weary and lose heart.”