“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...let us run with patience the race that is set before us...Looking unto Jesus...who...endured the cross...For consider him that endured...lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
(Heb. 12:1-3)
One of the main themes of the book of Hebrews is endurance, especially is this true of chapter twelve. Paul encourages these early New Testament believers who were going through severe trials to receive the witness of their Old testament brethren who had persevered by faith in the Faithful One! He shows them the oneness of the Old and New Testaments saints. You know, “They two shall be one.” They walked in the same shoes.
Contrary to some teaching, the emphasis in our text is not on those who are seeing us, but those who are speaking to us. It is not about spectators but witnesses. The concern of this great circular cloud overhead is not in what we are doing, but rather in telling us what God did for them in like situations. The Apostle recounts these lives in the previous chapter, eleven. Therefore we need to give heed to these heroes of the faith!
But it must be remembered these saints are examples, not enablers; they inspire, but cannot empower! This is the danger in going too far with Bible and historic biographies of other believers. Only God through Christ can see us through the dark days. And may I add that we, on this side of the Cross, are much more obligated to make it “safe home,” than they. Theirs was a limited knowledge, ours, unlimited. WE KNOW JESUS!
“Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name.”
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