Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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 is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:1-3
There the things we should understand in this very verses about our eternal destiny.
RUNNING OUR RACE
(1) Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses
(2) Lay aside every weight and sins
(3) Run with patience
JESUS AS EXAMPLE
(4) Looking unto Jesus – endured contradiction of sinners
(5) Joy set before – Sitting at the right hand of the throne of God
ENCOURANGEMENT
Let us not be wearied and faint hearted
(1) SURROUNDED BY A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES
The great cloud of witnesses are all those people who have lived before us — whether famous or not — who have lived lives of faith, following God, worshipping Jesus, leaving for us a rich spiritual legacy. Thinking about their lives, how they lived, what they lived for, and how they died, is an inspiration. Their example shows us how to have that kind of faith and how to live it.
Abel – offered a better sacrifice by faith and was commended as righteous. Now stands as witness for us to offer a good sacrifice to God. Genesis 4:4
Enoch – by faith he pleased God, so he never experienced death. Stands as a witness for us to please God while on earth. Genesis 5:24
Noah – by faith he obeyed God’s command and turned his back on a world of evil. Stands as a witness that we should be obedient to God’s words. And we must pay attention to the word of God.
2Peter 2:5; Genesis 6:8
Abraham – obeyed God and went where God told him to go, without knowing where this would be. He made his home in the Promised Land even though he was a stranger there. From him came “descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky”. Stands as a witness of Fulfillment of God’s promises. Genesis 18:19
Isaac – Abraham’s promised child, who by faith blessed Jacob and Esau. Stands as a witness to us to bless and not curse and our words had power to bless and giver directions. Genesis 26:12
Jacob – who by faith blessed Joseph’s sons. Stands as a witness to us that though we are evil we need transformation to become like Jacob who was a deceived that turned to a father of nations as a result of his constant fellowship with God. Genesis 28:20
Joseph – who by faith gave instructions that his bones should one day be carried out of Egypt and buried in the Promised Land. Stands as a witness to us to belief in our dreams and focus on God , never give up but be steadfast. Genesis 39:4
Moses’ parents – who by faith hid Moses from the edict of Pharaoh and did not leave him to die. Stands as a witness to us to defy the oppressive laws of the land, that they hid Moses to oppose the decree from the rulers who was keen to kill all the new born babies. Hebrews 11:23
Moses – who, though adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, by faith refused to be known as her son, and “chose to be mistreated along with the people of God”. By faith he kept the first Passover. Stands as a witness to us to forsake the pleasure of the world for the sake of Christ. Exodus 2:15
The People of Israel – who by faith passed through the Red Sea. Stands as a witness to us to leave our comfort zone and wander in the wilderness of righteousness. For the sake of righteousness. Exodus 17:1
Rahab – who by faith welcomed God’s spies, saving her family from the fall of Jericho. Stands as a witness to us to protect the people of God, an interest of God, to choose whatever God has chosen and never be afraid of the people and what they will do or say. Joshua 6:25; James 2:25
Also “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword… (Heb. 11:32-33).
(2)LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT AND SINS
The Greek word was sometimes used by Greek writers to denote the excessive size and weight of body which the athlete sought to reduce by means of training; but may also signify the encumbrance of any burden, unnecessary clothing, and the like. It is here best taken in a general sense, as denoting anything that encumbers, and thus renders the athlete less fitted for the race. In the interpretation we might perhaps, think of the pressure of earthly cares.
EXAMPLES OF WEIGHT
(1) Any unnecessary Burden – Worldly Riches
Luke 18: 18-25 Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31
(2) Unnecessary clothing. Affairs of this life 2 Timothy 2:3-7
(3) Pressure of earthly cares. Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:13-20
Cares of this life choked the word of God. Mark 4:19
(4) Divers and strange teachings. Hebrews 13:9
It is fair to say then, that the whole class of weights are not so much external circumstances which may be turned to evil, as the feelings and habits of mind by which we abuse God’s great gifts and mercies, and turn that which was ordained to be for life into death. The renunciation that is spoken about is not so much the putting away from ourselves of certain things lying round about us, that may become temptations; as the putting away of the dispositions within us which make these things temptations.
TO LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT REQUIRES SELF-DENIAL
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Titus 2:11-12
Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:7-8; 1 Corinthians 2:2
if it be mainly and primarily, legitimate feelings and thoughts, abused and exaggerated, which make the weights that we are to lay aside, what are the things which may thus become weights, with the understandings which He has bestowed upon us, that we may apprehend His divine truth and His wonderful counsel with them; with these powers of work in the world which He has conferred upon us, that by them we may bring to Him acceptable service and fitting offering; and, in like manner, with all the gladness and grace with which He surrounds our life, intending that out of it we should draw ever occasions for thankfulness, reasons for trust, helps towards God, ladders to assist us in climbing heavenward.
There are hindrances which are not sins. Secondly, If we would run, we must put aside these. And lastly, If we would put them aside, we must look to Christ.
