“A GREAT MOTIVATION FOR THE CHRISTIAN RACE – THE WORTHY EXAMPLE OF CHRIST” HEBREWS 12:1-3

The identity of the “cloud of witnesses” demands our immediate attention! Who are the “cloud of witnesses?” The great “cloud of witnesses” is a figure of speech that points to the great number of faithful believers mentioned in chapter 11. Spurred on by the worthy examples of faith by the Old Testament worthies of Hebrews chapter 11, we are exhorted to “lay aside every weight” and “the sin which doth so easily beset us” (v. 1).

The first obstacle, a weight, is anything that hinders us. The second obstacle that must be laid aside is sin. These two obstacles – unnecessary hindrances and sinful behavior – are to be set aside in order to “run with patience the race that is set before us.” We are exhorted to run this race with patience. The word patience carries the idea of endurance and perseverance. Even though we have the privilege of looking at the examples of believers, both past and present, the greatest example of all is “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (v. 2). Above all else, we need to focus our attention on the great Trailblazer of faith – Jesus Christ.

The great Author (Leader) of our faith, Jesus Christ, finished His mission and experienced “the joy that was set before Him” (v. 2). Our Saviour endured the shame and ignominy of a cruel cross. Anticipating joy, our Saviour endured the awful shame of the cross, even to the point of being despised by others. We will never comprehend the horrendous shame of the crucifixion. Crucifixion was considered such a lowly form of death that Roman citizens automatically were exempt from it. Jesus met a criminal’s death.

As the author continues to exhort these saints, he directs them to look to Jesus as a model of patience. Jesus looked beyond the shame to His reward, His exaltation to “the right hand of the throne of God” (v. 2). Not only should these believers look to Jesus as th model of patience but they should “consider Him” as the One who faced severe opposition from others that resulted in His death (v. 3). In undergoing severe troubles,
these believers needed to remember that our Lord faced severe oppositions Himself. If He faced opposition, what else could they expect?

Yes, there was a reward to be obtained, but there was a difficult race to be completed. As these believers “consider Him,” they were exhorted by the writer to devote careful and serious thought to the subject of how Jesus suffered in His path to the cross. Oh, how He suffered to secure our salvation!

He was indeed focused as He suffered for us! He subjected Himself to the shame of a cruel cross, acting as our substitute for II Corinthians 5:21 says – “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” It was all-important that these believers meditate on their Lord’s example so that they might not “be wearied and faint in their minds” (v. 3). As these believers
faced severe persecution, they needed to consider the brave examples of Jesus in order to keep their minds from becoming weary and faint.

May God Bless!