The writer of the letter to the Hebrew Christians, in the well-known eleventh chapter, parades before us the Old Testament heroes of faith who performed such courageous and mighty acts  with inspiring examples of steadfastness, simply believing what God had promised (Hebrews 11:29-35). Some patiently endured much suffering, destitution, torture and even death, that they might gain an inheritance and be partakers of a better resurrection (vv.35-38). However, though they were commended for their faith and have their place in sacred scripture, God deemed it fitting that, not without us, would they receive the things that were promised (vv.39-40).

These faith-driven saints of old could only look forward, through prophetic mists of part-hidden visions, and the shadowy copies of realities unseen, to events that we Christians look back on with crystal clarity as things now accomplished and completed in Christ. And yet, the Hebrews, to whom this letter was written, were seriously considering forsaking the boundless richness of the Christian life in return for the religious forms now rooted in an obsolete economy (Hebrews 8:13). There was the continual threat of persecution for Christians, but not for Jews, whose religion was both protected and respected by the ruling empire of the day. The temptation to turn their back on the Christian life, established in grace by faith alone, and return to a priestly, law-based, religious system, seemed overwhelming, and the writer cautions them that there is really only one safe course of action, and that is to continue in the Christian faith.

The writer takes us in vision to an immense arena, where we, present-day believers, are the only runners on the track. There, looking on, applauding from the brimming stands are a great crowd of witnesses – those who have previously run the race of faith: the victors, the persecuted, the valiant, the tortured, the victorious, the martyrs. They watch on as we, the runners, strip for action, discarding everything that might hinder the race. Spiritually, such things are personal sins, false habits, distracting hobbies, and negative influences, that focus our attention away from the gospel and draw us into worldly webs of entanglement (Hebrews 12:1).

We are told to fix our eyes on Jesus, ‘the pioneer and perfector of faith’; to ‘Consider him’ who prepared the track and placed us in the race; who ran before us and now runs beside us; who remains constant with us until the race is fully run. And it is he who will greet us at the finishing line, who is, himself, the crown of glory (vv.2-3).

The Hebrew saints needed to be reminded of the importance of staying in the race, not shrinking back or turning away. We may think that there is no more strength within us, or that we cannot see a way forward through the perpetual gloom of disappointment, doubt and despair, but there is one clear line of sight along which perseverance travels: ‘fixing our eyes on Jesus’ (v.2), and one simple rule by which faith advances: ‘Consider him’ (v.3) who for the joy that lay beyond the Cross, endured such suffering, humiliation, and the shame which he so rightly scorned, to sit down ‘at the right hand of the throne of God’ (v.2).

Don’t think of turning back from the glorious present reality. Rather, ‘Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ (v.3) 

Local congregation:
Grace Communion Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall
Main Street
Farcet
Peterborough
PE7 3AN

Meeting time:
Sunday 11.00 am

Local congregational contact:
Richard Dempsey
Email:  richard.dempsey@btinternet.com
Local church website: GRACE COMMUNION CHURCH PETERBOROUGH – Landing Page

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church