Hebrews 12:1–2

[Here are the previous posts in this series: First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh.]

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, 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.

The Context

The letter to the Hebrews was written to offer encouragement to believers who were experiencing trials and persecution so great that many of them were considering reverting back to Judaism in order to alleviate some of the pressure.

In order to persuade his audience to persevere in the faith rather than abandon it, the author focuses his writing on the supremacy of Jesus Christ, explaining that he exceeds all other people, pursuits, objects, and hopes to which people may be tempted to offer their allegiance (4:14). If they were to revert back to Judaism, they would be reverting back to something inferior. Instead, focusing on the greatness of their Saviour, believers are to endure the struggles in faith. 

The Passage

The author of Hebrews begins the twelfth chapter of his epistle by describing a setting familiar to sports fans.  The scene involves a marathon course that weaves its way through the streets of a town. It is a gruelling test of endurance and only those prepared for the task perform well … or even survive!

The competitors who are running their way along this race course are actually the readers of this epistle (including you and I!). Lining the streets of the course are those that have competed in that same race before but have since retired from competition. They watch with knowing smiles and empathetic cheers. 

There are times in the midst of the race that a runner feels like giving up and that the race has become too tedious to continue. However, the presence of these race veterans testifies to the fact that this is a race that can be finished successfully and that the rewards for doing so are worth the effort. This cloud of witnesses call out encouragement to the racers, imploring them to lay aside every weight and get rid of the sin that clings so closely. “Re-focus! Examine yourself! Is there anything you can do to ease the running?” Each runner must decide for themselves what it is that may be slowing them down and then, following the call of the witnesses, cast it aside.

This race being described by the author of Hebrews is a metaphor for life.

Since it is God who gives us life, it is also God who starts us in this race. We are all here for a purpose, and that purpose is to live our lives in fulfillment of God’s intent for us. This requires not only faith in God’s revelation… but also perseverance and endurance.

 Ray C. Stedman, Hebrews, 136.

The race course of the Christian life is certainly one that requires grit and determination to finish. However, believers are not left without aid and encouragement from which to draw inspiration.

In addition to the cloud of witnesses offering inspiration to current racers, the author of Hebrews also mentions our Pace Rabbit.

I have run in many road races, the longest of which has been thirty kilometers. A common practice for race organizers is to hire a number of runners who are committed to completing the course in a specific time and have them run amidst the competitors. For example, for a 30km course, the race organizers find runners committed to completing the course in exactly (or very close to) two hours, another in two hours and fifteen minutes, another in two and half hours, and so on. These “pace rabbits” are clearly marked so that competitors can gauge their own pace by their proximity to those rabbits.

Jesus Christ, being the founder and perfecter of our faith is the supreme Pace Rabbit for the race that is the Christian life. By keeping their eyes locked on Jesus and the way in which He ran the race, believers can better ensure a successful, God-pleasing, and faithful run.

The Principle

As a Christian, living well demands recognizing hindrances, straining to remove them, persevering along the proper course, and focusing on Jesus.

The Application

The idea of looking to Jesus during competition is often used today in Christian athletic organizations as a picture of proper perspective for modern Christian competitors. The rationale is that if an athlete focuses on Jesus while training and competing, their motivation can remain pure rather than idolatrous.

In Hebrews, however, the author’s athletic metaphor is being used to describe the Christian life, not necessarily the athletic life of a Christian. This passage no more applies to the athletic arena than it does to the business office. The “race” transcends where we decide to “run.” The point is to run well and uninhibited, to be faithful, and to focus on Christ as the example. It is possible that the every weight, and sin which clings so closely to a believer actually includes the culture of sport. As some may use this Hebrews passage to justify athletic competition, it must be conceded that, at least in some instances, it is the athletic competition itself that is an aspect of the believer’s life that is preventing them from running well.

… at least in some instances, it is the athletic competition itself that is an aspect of the believer’s life that is preventing them from running well.

The Christian life is daunting and difficult. It is going to require huge amounts of endurance, intentionality, and struggle with distractions and hindrances. However, it does not have to be discouraging. Many saints have gone before us and faithfully finished their courses. It can be done! We would be wise to study their game plans, see how they accomplished what they accomplished, and, most importantly keep our gaze fixed upon the perfect competitor, Jesus Christ.