Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Getting to the point that crowds are gathered around you. They are assembled there as witnesses to your life work. They might see a heavily faith-clad runner who lightly steps around life’s obstacles and casts little shadow of regret and burden. They might see a heavily sin-filled runner that takes labored steps and breathes shakily due to the arms filled with increasing burdens of dark thoughts, fears, and obsessions.
The race is challenging. So how do we overcome? How do we carry our load but also avoid future pitfalls?
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2 NLT
An intense battle to focus our eyes on the road ahead and not the struggle behind must occur. Even Jesus trained his eyes on the “joy awaiting him.” Enduring pain, humiliation, and doubt… Jesus knew his greatest fight to remain on that cross lie in His own mind. He fixed his mind on the finish line.
Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Hebrews 12:3 NLT
If we remember Jesus’ battle at the cross.. The attempted capture of his brain to overtake the positive. The manifestation of evil, gathered by sinful people, dumped on a sinless man, did not gain a breath-length of time in his thoughts.
If we gain dominion over our mind and turn our hearts from the anger of those we leave behind, those who will not accept Christ, unburdening themselves, we can join in “awaiting the joy.”
Gathering CLOSE 