Running with Endurance: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:1-2)

Text: Hebrews 12:1–2

Introduction: The Race of Faith

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semi-final. He had trained his entire life for that one race — every stride, every lift, every practice leading to this moment. But halfway down the backstretch, disaster struck. A sharp pain shot through his leg — his hamstring tore. He collapsed on the track in agony as the other runners sped past.

Most people would have stayed down. But Derek refused to quit. He pushed himself up, tears streaming down his face, and began limping toward the finish line — determined to finish what he had started.

Then something remarkable happened. From the stands, his father, Jim Redmond, broke through security and ran to his son. Wrapping his arm around Derek’s shoulders, he held him up, step by painful step, all the way to the finish line.

When they crossed together, the crowd erupted. They weren’t cheering because Derek won — they were cheering because he finished.

That’s a picture of the Christian life. The race we’re in isn’t easy. It’s long, often rough and rocky, filled with obstacles, sin, and battles with the world. Sometimes, like Derek, we stumble. Sometimes we fall. But we don’t run alone. Our Heavenly Father comes alongside us, lifts us up, and helps us finish the race before us.

Like Derek, we may limp across the line — but we will finish because the Father is with us.

The Christian life is a race — a journey of endurance and faith. And as we open Hebrews 12:1–2, we see that God has given us examples to look to and a Savior to follow. In this passage, we find encouragement, strength, and the reminder that we run with endurance when our eyes are fixed on Jesus.

I. The Road Ahead Is Hard

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us…”

The path forward may be rough and rocky. We face sin, temptation, and spiritual battles daily.

Following Christ means acknowledging that the road will not be easy. As believers, we cannot expect better treatment in this life than Jesus received.

We will suffer, we will struggle, but we do so with the assurance that our Savior walked this road before us.

The call to “lay aside every weight” reminds us to remove distractions and burdens that keep us from running well—fear, doubt, bitterness, pride, or worldliness.

Application: Ask yourself—what weights am I carrying that slow me down? What sins am I tolerating that entangle my walk with Christ?

II. We Have Faithful Saints of the Past to Look To When It Is Hard

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…”

We are surrounded by a great company of believers who ran the race before us.

These men and women of the past lived through tough and harsh times with a forward-looking eye for the truth and beauty to come.

Their lives testify that endurance is possible—that God is faithful to sustain those who trust Him.

We are inspired by their faith, but we are also reminded that they ran their race looking ahead to something better—Christ Himself.

Application: When you’re tired or discouraged, look to those who have finished well—both in Scripture and in your own life. Their faith is evidence that endurance is worth it.

III. Jesus Is Our Pathfinder of Faith

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”

Jesus is the founder and perfecter—the supreme witness and pathfinder of our faith.

He is the One who, with joy, faced the difficulties and hardships before Him.

He went with joy to the cross, suffering immensely on behalf of others.

He set the perfect example for us to follow—the One who shows us how to endure and why we endure.

Application: When you grow weary, fix your gaze on Christ. He blazed the trail before you and knows every twist and turn of your journey.

IV. Jesus Is With Us in This Walk

“Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…”

Jesus is not just our example—He is our companion.

He walks beside us, strengthens us, and carries us when we weaken and struggle.

We do not make it through this life alone; He is both our model and our means of perseverance.

The same Spirit that empowered Christ now empowers us to endure.

Application: Remember—endurance isn’t achieved by human willpower, but by divine presence. Christ within you is the hope of glory and the strength for your race.

V. Jesus Will Bring Us to Full Completion

“…the author and finisher of our faith…”

He is not only the One who started our faith but the One who will bring it to completion.

We have strong, solid faith before us in the examples of others and strong, solid faith with us in Christ our Lord.

Jesus is the perfecter of our faith, meaning He will complete the path we are on.

He will bring us safely home.

Application: When you feel like giving up, remember—He will finish what He started in you. The race may be long, but the reward is sure. In Philippians 1:6 Paul declares boldly, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Conclusion: Run Your Race

Years ago, at the 1968 Olympics, a marathon runner named John Stephen Akhwari fell and injured himself badly. Hours after the race was over, he limped into the stadium — bruised, bleeding, exhausted. When asked why he didn’t quit, he said, “My country didn’t send me to start the race. They sent me to finish it.”

That’s the kind of endurance we are called to as believers. We don’t run for medals, applause, or earthly glory. We run for Christ — the One who ran before us, who endured the cross, and who stands at the finish line waiting for us.

So, lay aside every weight that slows you down. Run your race with endurance. Fix your eyes on Jesus — the One who endured the cross for you.

When our eyes are fixed on Him, we don’t see the turmoil around us as easily. Even through pain or discouragement, we can keep running because before us is the calm, steady, loving face of our Savior beckoning us forward.

We run the race of faith best when our eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ — the One who laid the path, walks beside us, and will one day bring us to completion.