The Blessed Hope: Jesus Is Coming!
(Hebrews 12:1–3): — “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, 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Listen — we are not running this race alone! Paul said we are “compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses.” That means all those faithful men and women of God in Hebrews 11; Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and the rest — they are watching! Their lives, their faith, their victories, their perseverance — they are cheering you on! Glory to God! We are surrounded by a cloud of encouragement. When you feel weak, when the road gets tough, remember: you are not running in a vacuum. Saints before us have pressed on, and so can we!
But Paul doesn’t stop there; he commands us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” That means quit carrying anything that slows you down! Let go of unforgiveness, quit holding onto grudges, stop entertaining temptation. Every weight, every sin, every distraction — throw it off! If you want to finish strong, you cannot carry dead weight on a living race. Throw it off and run free, because the race God has set before you is meant to be run with strength and purpose!
Then Paul hits the heart of the matter — “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Saints, your eyes must be on Him! Jesus is the one who started your faith and will bring it to completion. He endured the cross, despised the shame, and fixed His eyes on the joy set before Him — the joy of our salvation, the joy of victory, the joy of completing God’s plan! If Jesus could face the cross and endure rejection and suffering, you can endure your trials. If He could hold His eyes on eternal purpose, you can hold yours too!
And Paul says in verse 3, “Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.” ...Church, meditate on that! Jesus faced opposition, insults, betrayal, pain, and yet He never fainted. He never gave up. When life comes at you hard, when people oppose you, when the devil tries to trip you up, consider Christ! Remember what He went through so that you could run your race. His perseverance is your example, His strength is your power, His victory is your hope!
So, saints, it’s time to run! Lay aside the weight, strip off the sin, fix your eyes on Jesus, and keep pressing forward! This race is not for the faint of heart; it’s for those who endure, who run with patience, who run with purpose. Victory is not measured by speed but by faithfulness. Keep your eyes on the prize, your hands on the plow, and your feet moving in the Spirit. When you finish, you’ll hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” Glory to God! Are you running this race with endurance?”