Keep Running

Hebrews 12:1–3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

Other Passages: Mark 4:18-19, Luke 22:40–44,

Words to listen for: Alone, Did, Jesus

Introduction

Imagine for a moment that you’re standing at the starting line of a marathon. The gun is about to go off. The course stretches out in front of you—long, demanding, full of hills you can already see and probably a few you can’t. You’re wearing the right shoes, you’ve trained, … but you still feel that little knot in your stomach: “Can I actually finish this thing?”

Now look up into the stands.

They are packed. Not with strangers. Not with critics holding scorecards. But with people who have already run this same race—all of them breathless, leaning over the railing, eyes fixed on you, shouting with everything they have left: “Keep going! Don’t stop! He’s worth it!”

That’s the picture the writer of Hebrews paints for us in chapter 12.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…”

This is not a casual jog. This is not a fun run with friends and snacks at mile 8. This is the race of faith—long obedience in the same direction, trusting God when the road disappears, when your legs burn, when your heart wants to quit.

And the good news of this passage is that God never intended you to run it alone, or to run it in your own strength.

Over the next few minutes we’re going to see three truths that will help us keep running when everything in us and around us screams “stop”:

Single-Minded but Not Alone – We strip off every hindrance and fix our eyes on the goal…while being embraced by a family of faith that’s already cheering us home. 

What Did Jesus Do? – We look to the One who has already run this race perfectly, who endured the cross by locking His eyes on the joy set before Him—and that joy was you. 

Meditate on Jesus – The only way to not grow weary or fainthearted is to keep coming back, again and again, to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. He is not just our example; He is our life.

So church, if you’re tired today, if you’re limping, if you’re wondering whether you have another mile in you—lean in. This text was written for you.

I. Single-minded but Not Alone

Let’s start with a look at this first phrase Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,”

The author of Hebrews begins chapter 12 with a transitional “therefore,” to tie what he’s saying to he has just recounted in chapter 11. He’s basing what he’s about to say in what we just read in chapter 11.

He describes the numerous individuals as a “cloud of witnesses.” The word for “witness” here in Greek is the word “μάρτυς” which is where we get the English word “martyr.” Originally this word was used merely to describe someone who testified, like in court. In the case of the early Christians their testimony often cost them their very lives. As a result the term “martyr” began to be used exclusively of those who held firmly to their allegiance to Christ at the cost of death. In current usage, the definition of “martyr” has expanded beyond the Christian faith to refer to anyone who is killed for their convictions.

So while in English death has become inseparably tied to the definition of a “martyr,” originally the meaning of the word centered on testimony. The ESV is right to translate it as “witnesses” here, but it can be helpful for us to think about the other connotations which the word “μάρτυς” has. The conclusion of the hall of faith includes those who by faith were willing to be killed and tortured because they desired the better resurrection. This would fit our modern definition of a martyr, but the term witness is used to encompass all of the examples in chapter 11.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

The author says our current position in the line of faith, with such a rich history as background, ought to motivate us to press on in our own faith. As we sit on the cusp of history with centuries of examples of witnesses testifying to the power and value of faith, it should empower our own life of faith.

Now if you’re anything like me, the idea of being surrounded by so many people watching me, as it were, tends to make me more nervous. It doesn’t help that many of them put me to shame by their faith. While some people are motivated by a fear of failure, this kind of scrutiny often makes things harder for me. I’m tempted to think of this crowd of impressive witnesses as looking at me critically, tallying up the ways in which I don’t measure up.

But that would be precisely the opposite of what the author of Hebrews wants you to feel about this. He means for this cloud of witnesses to be an encouragement. We can see that in a few ways. First, he says that the result of knowing we’re surrounded ought to be that we run: “since we are surrounded…let us run…”. Second, when we look closer it is clear that none of these individuals were perfect, so there’s no reason to think they are expecting perfection of you. Third, the end of chapter 11 says “apart from us they should not be made perfect” which means this crowd is not booing our failures, but rooting for us and cheering our success. Their perfection depends on our perfection. God won’t make them perfect without us.

But fourthly, we can also gain encouragement from the word which is translated “surrounded.” While “surrounded” is a perfectly fine translation of this word (περίκειμαι) the connotation in Greek is much more intimate than the English word “surrounded.” This is a word that gets used to describe something like a necklace that is hung around the neck and in classical Greek it describes a physical embrace, a hug. So the writer of Hebrews doesn’t intend for us to think of distant spectators observing our progress from afar, but to think of ourselves as intimately embraced by this cloud of witnesses. The writer of Hebrews wants believers to see these ancient examples of faith as family, a family enclosing us into one big massive group hug.

It is in light of this the writer of Hebrews says let us run. This encouraging embrace by our family of faith is meant to provide motivation for the race of faith.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” As we saw in the lives of the witnesses in chapter 11 faith requires endurance.

The author of Hebrews says that faith is like a race that is laid out before us. In order to run well there’s some things that need to come off. Have you ever tried to run in baggy jeans or a heavy winter coat? It makes everything harder. It says, “let us also lay aside every weight”. The word here in Greek is used sometimes to refer to body weight. So the imagery goes beyond shedding physical clothing and includes the idea of slimming down. It pictures a runner who is trying to run his very fastest. I know that many elite athletes who are biking or swimming will even shave their arms and legs to eliminate anything that would slow them down.

This doesn’t mean that the Christian life should be seen as primarily a hurrying endeavor. We shouldn’t confuse the analogy of faith as race with being overly busy even in ministry. The race of faith is not a rush to stay busy, loading up hectic schedules, or making sure to do more than others around us. The race is a race of endurance to keep a clear-eyed view of God and confidence in his ability and willingness to fulfill his promise to save you.

Notice the writer says every “weight and sin.” He’s talking about a kind of single-mindedness towards holding onto faith. In Mark 4 Jesus tells a parable about different soils in which the Word of God either effectively germinates or does not. He describes certain people for whom faith appears genuine but it gets weighed down and choked out in the end. Mark 4:18–19“ And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” The imagery in the parable is of plants struggling to compete with weeds, but I think it fits with the description of weights and sins found in Hebrews 12.

The “cares of the world” might be an obsession with the news. While it is good for Christians to be informed citizens, aware of what is happening around us, worrying about politics, current events, foreign countries, and environmental catastrophes, can derail faith. It can undermine believer’s confidence in, and dependence on, God when it is not filtered through the Bible and prayer. I’ve been guilty of that myself. The “cares of the world” can become a weight that dangerously slows us down as we run the race of faith, and it can even knock us out.

The “deceitfulness of riches” is something the Bible talks about in many places, because it is a very sinister and subtle weight that can easily wiggle its way in and derail faith. Riches are never described as inherently evil and wealth is a blessing, not a curse, from God. But we must always been on guard that legitimate desires to prosper and provide for ourselves and others do not weigh our faith down and cause us to deprioritize eternity or start depending on our own resources rather than God’s provision ultimately.

Then the catchall “the desires for other things.” God made humans with an infinite desire for more because he designed us to be satisfied with him. But that limitless desire within us can easily be directed on to a myriad of other things in our lives dulling our interest in God making faith a bore. The life of faith for a believer is super-natural, it goes against the grain of this world and our own remaining sin nature. Desire itself is not the problem, it’s attempting to fill that thirst in ways that make God look small or worthless.

Running the race of faith means throwing off weights and sins, getting rid of anything that undermines our faith, our trust in and dependence on, God. Even those things that are not directly sin, may hinder our running. The question we must ask ourselves is not merely “is it a sin?” but “does it help me run?” Does it help me see sin clearly, and treasure God truly?

But running the race of faith doesn’t just mean getting rid of weights and sins, that’s the negative side. It also means positively valuing the future reward. We see this in our next point:

II. What Did Jesus Do?

Hebrews 12:2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Faith is not a looking inside of ourselves for grit and determination to remain confident or positive. Faith for Abraham was looking away from his own inability to God and his ability. But all of the previous examples we have looked at in Hebrews 11 pale in comparison to the preeminent example of Jesus Christ. There is no greater example we can look to.

The author of Hebrews describes Jesus as “the founder and perfecter of our faith.” He is the beginner and ender, the starter and finisher. He is the one who completed the race perfectly, from beginning to end. As such he presents us with the preeminent example of faith most centrally in his death and resurrection, his humiliation and exaltation. “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

So how did Jesus do it? How did Jesus keep on running and complete the race of faith?

He loved the joy and despised the shame. Crucifixion was a punishment specifically designed to maximize pain and shame for its victims. Jesus was neither the first nor the last to fall victim to this hateful method of torture invented by Rome to dispirit their enemies. But for him the suffering went far beyond what Roman soldiers could inflict since he was the least deserving individual ever, yet suffering the wrath of God on behalf of wicked rebellious sinners, like you and I.

But Jesus’ example of enduring suffering is very instructive for us. Luke records Jesus’ agonized wrestling in prayer mere hours before submitting to his crucifixion Luke 22:40–44 “And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Hebrews tells us that Jesus found the strength to endure the cross by looking to the reward, the joy that was on the other side of death.

You and I should not think that we can run the face of faith any differently than Jesus. There have been philosophers who called themselves Christians who have posited that the highest motivation someone can have for doing the right thing is obligation, doing your duty. They claim any other motivation is merely self-serving and thus, wrong. Sometimes this sort of thinking creeps into the church and Christians can begin thinking that the way to live the Christian life is simply do your duty and don’t ask questions. They frame the Christian life primarily as a life of obligations. This is what the Pharisees did.

While it is our duty to obey God’s law, duty is not meant to be our highest motivation for obedience.

Jesus was not motivated to go to the cross simply because it was his duty or it was the right thing to do. He did it because he believed that the reward would be worth the suffering. He believed the joy that was coming after the cross would completely eclipse that pain and shame it cost.

If the Christian life consisted of merely keeping rules out of obligation, obedience merely because it is the right thing to do, it would put the spotlight of glory on us rather than God. Even if we acknowledged all the way that it was God who empowered our obedience by the Holy Spirit we would be the target of admiration. When obedience is done for obligation’s sake, turns the focus inward towards one obeying. Look how admirable that person is for obediently suffering even when they get nothing out of it.

On the other hand, when the coming reward is the motivation for obedience it places the spotlight of glory on God where it should be. Look at how worthwhile God must be if people are willing to obediently suffer so much to get him. Suffering out of obligation, a sense of duty points to us, while suffering for the sake of reward points to God.

This focus on future reward, coming joy, enabled Jesus to despise the shame. He put the temporary shame on the scales and weighed it against the coming glory. He said, with Paul in Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” The only way for the shame to become light, inconsequential, counted as nothing, is for it to be compared with the coming glory.

This is the way faith worked for Jesus on his way to and through the cross and it is the same way it will work for you and I. When we obey God through suffering because we are longing for the coming joy it puts the spotlight of glory on God. He looks great, and that’s how we want it.

Jesus saw joy. You are not intended to get through life’s trials differently than Jesus. For Jesus the way he got through it was knowing what was on the other side. On the other side of his crucifixion and death was not only his own resurrection and exultation, but the salvation of his people.

And you are meant not just to follow Jesus’ example, but be fueled by a vision of his love for you. Because the joy set before him, was not only his own exultation, it was the salvation of sinners like you and I. So our third consideration is:

III. Meditate on Jesus

Hebrews 12:3 “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

If you were reading these verses in Greek you would see that this word “consider” is the first imperative. It the first word in the grammatical form of a command. The other previous two exhortations “let us lay aside” and “let us run” can be viewed as commands, but are not grammatically in the same form as “consider.” The Greek text also includes a “for” at the beginning of this verse which is omitted in the ESV for some reason. What this means is that as we approach verse 3 we should understand that it is clearly connected to the previous two verses and is the climax of the author’s thought.

You could think of “consider” having a “therefore” in front of it and an exclamation point after it. “Therefore consider!” The Greek word for “consider” means to think carefully, to calculate, or to meditate. Remember that the biblical idea of meditation is not mindless repetition or an emptying of the mind, but a focused consideration and contemplation of God.

Verse 2 said we should be looking to Jesus as an example, but in verse 3 he’s more than our example. He is the object of our faith. The race of faith finds its basis and sustenance in gazing upon Christ.

He is the “source/founder and perfecter/finisher of our faith” we start and we end with Jesus and we need him every step of the way. Meditation on Jesus is the antidote to, growing “weary or fainthearted,” or more literally, “growing weary in your soul.”

Our souls are not designed to be self-sustaining. Our faith must look outside of us for sustenance. Have you ever felt weary in your soul? I’ve experienced burn-out multiple times in my life. There are always physical factors at play, but when my soul feels weary with the world, when I feel as though I cannot go on, when I feel utterly insufficient and struggle to find joy my soul needs to remember that I am loved by Jesus.

This is one reason Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is a sacrament of initiation into the family of God and is only done once, but the Lord’s Supper is again and again. Because even after we’re in we need to remember, daily, even hourly that deep down we are loved.

Many communion tables have engraved in them the words of Christ “this do in remembrance of me.” Jesus’ person (who he is) and work (what he did) is our food for the race of faith. Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to “remember me” because he was lonely or insecure, it had nothing to do with his need, and everything to do with theirs!

As soon as you lose sight of the grace of Christ that you have received and the fact that you need it, you will be unable to show grace to others. The unconditional love that Christ shows us when he “endured from sinners such hostility against himself,” is our fuel for showing grace to others.

Your daily food as a Christian is Christ. You and I never grow up from our dependence on Christ. Christian maturity actually means becoming more and more aware of our abject dependence on Christ.

I once heard someone say that God has no “grandchildren.” What he meant by that was that each person must have a direct relationship of faith with God. It is not enough to be the child of someone who believes, or be friends with someone who believes. True saving faith is a personal, individual connection directly between the believer and Christ. All of us, human beings, men and women, boys and girls, are born with a sinful rebellious nature requiring the personal intervention of God. We must each individually be connected to Christ by faith in order to be saved, and when that happens God makes us his children directly. Christ alone is our mediator between God and us, no other human mediates our relationship with God.

He is founder and perfecter, the beginning and the end, you start a life of faith trusting Jesus and you end your life of faith trusting him and you keep trusting him every day in between. We don’t start with Jesus and move to something else.

This includes our fight against sin in our lives. When you find yourself struggling with bitterness and anger, when you are battling lust, when a brother points out pride in your heart, when you are overcome with guilt and shame, when you face criticism from friends and enemies alike, when you face impossible decisions, when the future is unclear, when you lose a parent or a child, when you lose a job, when you simply can’t face the day’s responsibilities and the pressure of merely living feels impossible, the one thing that you need first and foremost, above all else is to remember Jesus.

When you start trying to fuel the Christian life by something other than Christ you will find pretty quickly that it is not the Christian life you are fueling. You are fueling a life of self-righteousness which produces pride on the one hand and shame and guilt on the other. I find that it is very easy to get off track and begin trying to fuel my own life by achievement, performance, obedience. Obedience is a fruit, a result, of the Christian life, not the fuel of it. As soon as you view your own obedience as the basis of your identity as a Christian, you will stop showing yourself grace and it will be harder to show others grace.

Try to go without breathing. That’s how long you can go without remembering Jesus. He is not just our example, or even someone who got us up on our feet and sent us on our way. He is who we must depend on daily, hourly. He is our life. There is no spiritual life apart from him.

Your obedience is produced by your Christian life which is fueled entirely by depending upon Christ. Knowing you need him and absolutely falling, trusting, resting in his unrestrained love without conditions for you in spite of your unworthiness.

The refrain of the Christian life is Jesus loves me this I know, for his death and resurrection tells me so. This is what we need to avoid becoming weary and fainthearted and throwing in the towel, giving up on the race.

Remember the cloud of witnesses who are embracing you reminding you of how precious Jesus is so that you’ll keep running. Remember Jesus, who was motivated to undergo his death on the cross by his joy at including you in the fellowship of the triune God. Then in this spirit, this mindset, get rid of any weight, hindrance, and especially sin, that would make Jesus look less glorious, God’s reward less worthwhile. Consider Jesus. Amen