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We Can Do This
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses
surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the
sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews
12:1-2 (NASU)
Life’s race is not an easy one. There
are numerous obstacles that trip us up. Further, we are weighed
down with so much baggage, we may find it hard to pick up speed
enough to win.
However, the Hebrew writer provides us
with some key insight into removing the obstacles and getting rid
of the extra weight.
First, he reminds us of the great cloud
of witnesses we have. He is referring to the 16 people mentioned
in Hebrews
11.
Why look at them? Because they were
people just like us. God asked them to do extraordinary things.
They did not always succeed. However, despite their momentary
shortcomings, their lives were devoted to God. In the face of
amazing obstacles, they continued on, striving to lay hold of
God’s promises.
Second, he drives the point home by reminding us,
if they could lay aside encumbrances and sin. So can we. They left
homes. They gave up their upbringings. They withstood amazing
temptations. They endured even to the point of death. These were
not gods nor super humans. They were just like us. If they did it,
so can we.
Third, he tells us to fix our eyes on
Jesus. Granted, Jesus was more than human. He was God in the
flesh. While we might think that gave Him a leg up on facing
temptation, His temptations were so great, it did not. He overcame
temptation the same way we can, by despising the sin, by not
worrying about what others thought about Him and by simply doing
what the Father had commanded.
We look to Jesus, because He is the
author and finisher of the faith. All the promises the great cloud
of witnesses had been waiting for were fulfilled in Jesus as He
suffered, died and was resurrected. Then He ascended to the right
hand of God. His kingdom was established and He was glorified. But
only after He went through the suffering and overcame the
temptations.
According to Romans
8:16-18, if we endure suffering along with Jesus, we will
be glorified with Him. Therefore we must keep our eyes fixed on
Him, following His example and remembering the great cloud of
witnesses who have also been able to accomplish what God asked. We
can do this.
Edwin L. Crozier
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