Wednesday of Holy Week
Read Hebrews 12:1-3
1 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,
2 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.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us…” Chapter 12 is clearly connected to the “Hall of Witnesses” laid out in Chapter 11. Men and women who had lived by faith were alive in a cloud observing and encouraging the present faithful as they struggled on earth. These witnesses serve as an example for us, each of them has received their final reward. There are other witnesses in that cloud. Most intimately to us, these other witnesses are people that we personally have known, that impacted our journey of faith. Take a few moments to recall some of their names and how they contributed to your faith…
The writer goes on to make it clear that these faithful witnesses and their conquered struggles are an encouragement to us. Jesus is the ultimate witness! Their faith is meant to guide us and support us, so that we will not “grow weary or lose heart in our journey!” Sometimes, times are difficult. We would like to give up the struggle. Remember the witnesses! Sometimes it seems like our hope is fainting. Remember the witnesses!
Persevere! Joy is in our future! Let’s finish our Lenten and faith journeys…
I am praying for you,
Doug
Read Hebrews 12:1-3
1 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,
2 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.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us…” Chapter 12 is clearly connected to the “Hall of Witnesses” laid out in Chapter 11. Men and women who had lived by faith were alive in a cloud observing and encouraging the present faithful as they struggled on earth. These witnesses serve as an example for us, each of them has received their final reward. There are other witnesses in that cloud. Most intimately to us, these other witnesses are people that we personally have known, that impacted our journey of faith. Take a few moments to recall some of their names and how they contributed to your faith…
The writer goes on to make it clear that these faithful witnesses and their conquered struggles are an encouragement to us. Jesus is the ultimate witness! Their faith is meant to guide us and support us, so that we will not “grow weary or lose heart in our journey!” Sometimes, times are difficult. We would like to give up the struggle. Remember the witnesses! Sometimes it seems like our hope is fainting. Remember the witnesses!
Persevere! Joy is in our future! Let’s finish our Lenten and faith journeys…
I am praying for you,
Doug