Hebrews 12

Context

Hebrews 12 is a chapter embedded in the larger epistle to the Hebrews, a book in the New Testament written to encourage and exhort Jewish believers who were facing persecution and the temptation to revert to Judaism. It follows Hebrews 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," which chronicles the faithfulness of God's people throughout biblical history. Hebrews 12 functions as a call to action, drawing upon this rich history of faith to encourage believers to endure hardships and live godly lives. It serves as a practical application of the theological truths laid out earlier in the epistle, specifically on the superiority of Christ and the finality of His sacrifice. The chapter also expounds on the nature of God as a loving Father who disciplines His children, linking the New Covenant to the prophetic and wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

Main Idea

The main idea of Hebrews 12 is the exhortation to endure in the faith by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the ultimate example and source of our faith. It calls believers to view their trials as discipline from God, intended for their spiritual growth, and to strive for peace and holiness in their lives. The chapter encapsulates the essence of the Christian race, urging believers to run with steadfastness, always looking unto Jesus.

Outline

The Cloud of Witnesses (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Hebrews 12 begins by drawing our attention to the "cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us, referring to the faithful saints of old detailed in Hebrews 11. We are called to throw off anything that hinders us, especially sin, and to run with perseverance the race set before us. Our eyes are to be fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

The Discipline of the Lord (Hebrews 12:3-11)

This section shifts the focus from the endurance required to the discipline of the Lord. It argues that enduring hardship is God’s way of treating us as His children. Divine discipline isn't a sign of God’s absence, but of His loving presence, working to produce righteousness and peace in us.

Striving for Peace and Holiness (Hebrews 12:12-17)

In these verses, the emphasis is on the believers’ responsibility to be at peace with everyone and to live a holy life. There's a warning against falling short of God's grace and allowing bitterness, immorality, or godlessness to sprout among them.

The Unshakeable Kingdom (Hebrews 12:18-29)

The chapter concludes with a contrast between the Old and New Covenants. Unlike the terrifying experience at Mount Sinai, believers have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God. Because we are receiving an unshakeable kingdom, we are called to offer God acceptable worship with reverence and awe.

Let us cherish these words, not just as teachings, but as divinely inspired instructions for our walk in this earthly pilgrimage, ever looking forward to our eternal dwelling with God.

Proposition

You Should Run With Endurance

This proposition encapsulates the essence of Hebrews 12, which calls believers to run the race with endurance, considering Jesus, and recognizing hardships as God's loving discipline for their spiritual growth.

Illustrations

Job: Endurance in Suffering

Job is an exemplar of someone who endured immense suffering, yet did not forsake his faith in God. Even when everything was taken away from him and his wife told him to "curse God and die," Job endured, saying, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10).

Paul: Endurance in Ministry

The Apostle Paul faced countless hardships in his ministry, including shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment. Despite these trials, he persevered, saying, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

Moses: Endurance in Leadership

Leading the Israelites was no small feat. They grumbled, doubted, and even rebelled. Yet Moses endured for 40 years in the wilderness, continually interceding for the people and following God's commands. His endurance is highlighted in Hebrews 11:27, where it says he "persevered because he saw him who is invisible."

These illustrations from the lives of Bible characters serve to fortify our understanding that enduring in faith is not only possible but also rewarding, as it was for these faithful servants of God.

Reasons You Should Run With Endurance

1. Because Witnesses Encourage Us (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The text begins with the encouragement to look to the faithful witnesses that have come before us. These witnesses serve as living testimonies that attest to God's faithfulness. The term "witnesses" in Greek is "martys," and it appears elsewhere to refer to those who testify for the faith, even unto death (Acts 22:20). The reason for looking to these witnesses is they serve as encouragements in our race. They endured, so can you.

2. Because Joy Awaits us (Hebrews 12:2-3)

In verses 2 and 3, the primary reason given for running the race with endurance is to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is both the founder and perfecter of our faith. The original Greek term "archēgos" suggests that Jesus is the pioneer, the one who blazed the trail for us. This same term is used in Acts 3:15 and Acts 5:31, to describe Jesus as the author of life and a leader. So the key reason here is the life of Jesus, who endured suffering and scorn for the joy that was set before him. Look to Him, follow His example, and find strength in His perseverance.

3. Because Discipline Validates Us (Hebrews 12:4-13)

Verses 4 through 11 focus on enduring God’s discipline as loving correction, not punitive destruction. The term for "discipline" in Greek is "paideia," which implies training or instruction. It appears in several places in the New Testament and Old Testament, such as Ephesians 6:4 and in the LXX in Proverbs 3:11-12. It often conveys the idea of instruction for the purpose of moral and personal development. Why do we endure God's discipline? Because it means that we are legitimate children, not illegitimate. God is training us for our good, that we may share his holiness. It’s a mark of divine love and intention for spiritual growth.

4. Because Apostasy Defiles Us (Hebrews 10:12-17)

The reason for strengthening your hands and knees and making straight paths for your feet is so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. This is an appeal for personal and community renewal, an imagery of physical weakness being made strong.

Verse 14 emphasizes the importance of living in peace and pursuing holiness. The idea here is simple yet profound. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Therefore, it becomes essential for us to adopt a lifestyle that reflects God’s character. The Greek word for holiness is "hagiasmos," which is used in contexts like 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 to signify the sanctification process that sets us apart for God.

The peace and holiness which characterize a life filled with faith, stand in contrast to the dangers of bitterness, and defilement which come to those fall short of the grace of God, and who trade eternal blessings for temporary earthly enjoyments.

5. Because Unshakable Blessings Await Us (Hebrews 12:18-29)

The latter portion of Hebrews 12, specifically verses 18-29, sets forth a contrast between two mountains: Mount Sinai, representing the Old Covenant, and Mount Zion, symbolizing the New Covenant in Christ. This contrast serves to underscore the glorious reality awaiting those who persevere in faith—unshakable blessings that are associated with the heavenly Mount Zion, the New Jerusalem, and the eternal Kingdom of God.

Mount Sinai: The Unapproachable God

First, let's consider the scene at Mount Sinai. When Israel encountered God at Sinai, it was a fearful experience. The mountain was untouchable, enshrouded in darkness, gloom, and storm. The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, "I tremble with fear" (Hebrews 12:21). The Old Covenant was characterized by commands and ordinances, revealing God’s holiness and our inability to meet His righteous standards. The Israelites could not endure the word spoken; they pleaded for God to stop speaking for fear they would die (Exodus 20:18-19). This terrifying experience signifies the unattainable holiness of God and the distance that sin places between God and humanity.

Mount Zion: The Blessings of an Unshakable Kingdom

In contrast, the New Covenant brings believers to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. There, an innumerable company of angels rejoices, and the assembly of God’s firstborn children is enrolled in heaven. This is a festal gathering, a celebration, far removed from the fear and trembling of Sinai. Most notably, we come to God Himself, and to Jesus, the mediator of a better covenant, whose blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Herein lies the unshakable blessings:

Eternal Fellowship: In Zion, we have fellowship with the living God, and with an innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of the righteous made perfect. Unlike Sinai, where distance was mandated, Zion invites closeness, relationship, and community.

Perfect Mediation: We have a mediator in Jesus who has ratified a better covenant with better promises. His blood, unlike Abel's which cried out for vengeance, speaks of reconciliation and peace.

Inheritance as Firstborn: The text mentions the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven. This reminds us of our inheritance, secured and reserved in heaven, incorruptible and undefiled (1 Peter 1:4).

Unshakable Kingdom: Finally, we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. Unlike the earthly kingdoms that rise and fall, God's Kingdom stands forever. As inheritors of this Kingdom, our future is secure, regardless of what shakes this world.

The Urgency of FaithfulnessThe writer of Hebrews ends this section with a stern warning: “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). The unshakable nature of the Kingdom not only assures us but also places on us the responsibility to worship God in reverence and awe. The life of endurance is not an option but a requirement, stemming from the gratitude for such a magnificent Kingdom.

So, the unshakable blessings that await those who run with endurance are manifold. They encompass eternal fellowship, a better covenant, an everlasting inheritance, and an unshakable Kingdom. These blessings serve as both the motivation and the reward for our faithful endurance, compelling us to live lives of worship that are pleasing to God.

Gospel Invitation

Brethren, consider the great cloud of witnesses that surround us—faithful men and women who have come before us, pointing the way. Yet, even they look to someone greater: Jesus Christ, the founder and perfecter of our faith. He endured the cross, despised its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Why did He endure such agony? For the joy set before Him—the joy of redeeming you and me, the joy of fulfilling the Father's will.

If Christ, the sinless One, endured such hardship for our sake, how much more should we endure in our walk of faith? Trials and tribulations are not signs of God's abandonment but rather His loving discipline. Our Father in heaven disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. Let us remember that the discipline we experience is momentary, but the fruit it bears lasts for eternity.

Just as Christ was raised to life, conquering sin and death, so too shall we be raised if we put our faith in Him. This is not just about being saved from the penalty of sin but also being sanctified in our daily lives. We are being prepared for an eternal weight of glory, where we will be free from the very presence of sin. Let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. Today, if you've not put your faith in Christ, come to Him. If you are weighed down by sin or discouraged by trials, come to Jesus. He is our hope for today, tomorrow, and for eternity. Amen.

Bibliography

"Comprehensive Study and Sermon Preparation on Hebrews 12." ChatGPT, OpenAI.