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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 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. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
Who makes up that cloud of witnesses? The writer of Hebrews has listed the persons in the “Faith Hall of Fame” in chapter 11. Also, those saintly people, living in heaven, with whom you have worshipped comprise a section of our cloud of witnesses.
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
What does this mean to us as children of God? It could mean that we have to give over to God the heartache and the heaviness we feel about our sin and the sin done to us. Sometimes the heartache is intense and we feel as if we will crumble under just because it happened.
let us run with endurance the race that is before us
Have you watched some running? We used to have a neighbor who took up running. Every night, He would sprint down our street and around the corner. A few minutes later, he would return. Anyone watching him knew he was concentrating on what he was doing. I admire runners, they have to stay with the program in order to excel.
looking to Jesus, the founder, and perfecter of our faith,
As children of God, we have to look to the LORD in order to gain ground when we an issue vexes us. When we look to those around us to solve the problem or try to fix it ourselves, we don’t allow Jesus to work in the circumstance.
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
Jesus looked beyond the cross, enduring its agony for you and for me. He knew He would return to His home in Heaven.
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our Savior resides in heaven, assisting His Father. He intercedes for us when we sin and seek God’s forgiveness.
As we walk through our Christian lives, Jesus walks with us. The witnesses in heaven, those who have gone before us, as well as those saints Paul mentions in Hebrews 11 all watch as we make decisions and learn how to overcome the bad issues we face.
I am taking a break from blogging. I will be back on Monday, May 14.
Oh! This was an excellent post, Cecelia! I love this portion of Hebrews and think of it often... Now, I do hope your little break means that you are finally able to take your long awaited vacation. Wherever you are, please relax and enjoy and come back refreshed and ready for whatever joys the Lord puts before you. Have a wonderful break. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear friend. Hebrews has a lot of excellent passages for us to learn from.Our plans seem to be falling into place.
DeleteRunning... such dedication and training. My husband runs :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break Cecelia.
Dedication is that we all have when we pursue a special activity. Writing takes dedication,as well.
DeleteJesus' example inspires me! I think of him when I go to the dentist, "If he could take on the cross for me, I can endure this pain..."
ReplyDeleteJen: Thank you for your thought. When I find myself faced with a difficult decision, I need to remember what He went through for us.
DeleteAnd guess what! I had to go to the dentist today, and go back tomorrow! What irony...
ReplyDeleteCould the LORD be trying to teach you something?
Delete"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses..."
ReplyDeleteI was JUST thinking about this verse yesterday! Sometimes we don't know who is in the crowd.
Thanks for your comment on my post about Vladimir Putin. I think there is a lot that we don't know about behind the scenes.
Sandi: I find that passage comforting. Especially the line about the cloud of witnesses. I once told a man who had recently lost his wife to heaven that she was sitting at the feet of Jesus and telling him about each of us.
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