Transcript

For two years, Rick Hansen, a paraplegic athlete, literally circled the globe in his wheelchair to raise awareness of and support for spinal cord research. Reporters periodically provided photographs of Rick battling on through burning heat, pouring rain, and winter blizzards, on steep roads over mountain ranges and through small towns along the way where no one even noticed. His hands became thick with calluses, his legs bruised, his back blistered, but he continued on.

Finally, the news reported that he was going to begin the final leg of his journey that would bring him back to where he started in Vancouver, British Columbia. To his surprise, people had gathered along the highway to cheer. As he rolled into town, policemen on motorcycles pulled up to ride alongside him. Others in wheelchairs joined him, rolling behind him like a legion of charioteers. 

Rick wheeled his way toward the stadium where he had planned to complete his journey. He had hoped a few reporters might be there; but instead, the arena was packed with people, including political leaders from around the world and television crews and reporters.

It was May 23, 1987; and as he glided out onto the stadium track, tens of thousands of people erupted, cheering, blowing horns, and shouting. The celebration was incredible.[1]

I must tell you, I picture that scene as we arrive in our Wisdom Journey at this thrilling passage in Hebrews chapter 12. The author writes in verse 1:

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 set before us.

This “cloud of witnesses” refers to the people of faith mentioned back in chapter 11. These are the saints of the past who are now cheering us on. This doesn’t mean they are witnessing our every step, though other passages in Scripture indicate believers in heaven have at least some knowledge of what is happening on earth. By way of the angels, they presumably know when a sinner is saved (Luke 15:10), and they have general knowledge of other events on earth, such as when the future Babylon falls (Revelation 19:1-2).

In this context, however, the faithful in heaven are not witnesses of us but witnesses to us; they are our examples, showing that we too can successfully run our race of faith, no matter how challenging it might be.

Your race of faith is not about how fast you run or who finishes first. You are not competing with other Christians. This race is unique to you, and it is about reaching the finish line, faithful to Jesus, because of God’s grace.

So, how do we run our race well? The author says we need to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.”

A “weight” is an impediment—it slows you down. Here it describes anything that distracts, anything and everything that hinders your spiritual progress—even what might be considered good things by others in your life.

I remember a young couple telling me one Sunday morning they had decided to follow Christ with total commitment. They had stayed up the night before until 2:00 o’clock in the morning, throwing away books, magazines, and music. They emptied alcoholic beverages in the sink, unsubscribed to online media sites, ridded themselves of everything they could think of that did not help them run their race of faith for Christ. Beloved, this couple should not be an exception; they should be the rule.

The author also says to lay aside that “sin which clings so closely.” I believe this is that unique sin that tempts you most—it chases you as you run. We need to resist this sin by the power of the Holy Spirit; and if we fall prey to it, we must be quick to confess it, then get back up and start running again.

Our model runner is Jesus Christ Himself. Verse 2 describes Him as the “founder and perfecter of our faith.” In other words, He is both the object of our faith and the perfect example of it.

Look at the race He ran: He “endured the cross, despising the shame.” And He was not complaining all along the way. And that is because of “the joy that was set before him.” He endured because the goal line included sitting at His Father’s right hand with great joy.

Stay focused on the goal, beloved. Your Father’s house is just ahead. This, as verse 3 says, will keep you from growing “weary or fainthearted.” You can grow weary in the race but must not grow weary of the race.

Then in verses 5-6, the writer quotes Proverbs 3:11-12:

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

The term here for “discipline” literally refers to child training. It involves both instruction and correction. God is not crushing us; He is encouraging us. He has us in a training program so that we can face the suffering and persecution while running the race.

And remember, as verse 6 tells us, God’s discipline reminds us of His love. He corrects us because He loves us—just like loving parents discipline their child for running out into the street.

God’s discipline reminds us of what is best for us, which ultimately is “that we may share his holiness” (verse 10). Discipline trains us, corrects us, equips us, verse 11 explains, to yield “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

Verses 12-17 consist of exhortations—like a coach reminding his team how to run well. Verse 12 says, “Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees”—that is, concentrate on your spiritual posture and attitude. Verse 14 adds, “Strive for peace with everyone” and for “holiness.”

Do not take time to argue with people. That is only going to slow you down.

Then in verses 18-24, we are given a contrast between Mount Sinai, where the law was given to Moses, and the heavenly Mount Zion, or as verse 22 calls it, “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” This eternal city is our final goal. This is our arena, and that one in Vancouver, British Columbia, cannot compare to it.

In contrast to Mount Sinai, which verse 18 describes as “a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest,” we have a description in verses 22-23 of our heavenly city, populated with angels, and the “assembly of the firstborn,” which is the church. “Firstborn” refers to believers during this New Testament church age. They will be joined by the “spirits of the righteous made perfect,” that is, Old Testament believers. So, believers of all ages will one day be in the presence of God.  

In the meantime, here is a challenge in verse 25: “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking.” Let us not ignore the Word of God today. As we learn it, let us live it.

The rest of this chapter centers around a quote from the prophet Haggai about a time yet to come when God will shake the universe as Jesus Christ returns to set up His millennial kingdom on earth.

We have nothing to fear, beloved, as we run our race of faith. The author writes in verse 28, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken . . . let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” recognizing that “our God is a consuming fire.”

So, we run today with reverence for our holy God, with a passion for personal holiness, with joy in our hearts over that coming kingdom and that day when we roll through the city gates and hear the cheering of those who have gone on before us, welcoming us to our heavenly home.