Hebrews 12

Intro

Now this morning we begin the wind down of the book. The author is now beginning to exhort his audience. Having gone through the OT in depth and showing how Jesus Christ and the New Covenant is far superior to the Old.

In what ways are Jesus and the New Covenant superior?

Read Chapter entirely

Vs 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

What do you think is meant by this “ cloud of Witnesses”? 2 thoughts

Witness is martys, of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr":—martyr, record, witness.

Cloud is nephos, a cloud, a large dense multitude, a throng

“Both the Greeks and the Latins frequently use the term cloud, to express a great number of persons or things.” (Clarke)

The idea of the past heroes of faith as spectators, watching as we live the life of faith makes some think that in heaven, people can and do observe what goes on earth. This single passage may suggest this, but it is inconclusive to prove this.

Others consider that these witnesses are not witnessing us as we conduct our lives. Instead, they are witnesses to us of faith and endurance.

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

What is the difference between a “weight” and a “sin”?

ong'-kos; probably from the same as G43; a mass (as bending or bulging by its load), i.e. burden (hindrance):—weight.

Sin - to miss the mark

which doth so easily beset us… skilfully surrounding i. e. besetting, namely, to prevent or retard running:

You get a picture of something wrapping around your legs as you are running or dragging a ball and chain.

Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (p. 1503). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.skilfully surrounding i. e. besetting, namely, to prevent or retard running:

Go to: Parable of the Sower explained

Notice Vs 22 This is what the writer is speaking about in Hebrews regarding “weights”.

Let us run with endurance: What is needed is endurance, to finish what we have begun in Jesus Christ – a race that is set before us.

We all have our own race to run.

It’s not a sprint but a marathon. We have to run with endurance.

Endurance - hoop-om-on-ay'; from G5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:—enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

Vs 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Looking - to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something Jesus in this case.

Remember Peter walking on the water until He looked at the waves and began to sink.

The author and finisher of our faith: Jesus is not only the author of our faith; He is the finisher of it also. The idea of He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ() is comforting indeed to these discouraged Christians.

Who for the joy that was set before Him: Jesus did not regard the cross itself as a joy. But He could look past the horror of the cross to enjoy the joy beyond it. The same mentality will enable these Jewish Christians (and we ourselves) to endure.

I like to think of the Joy as you and me, His bride.

endured the cross, despising the shame,

If you have seen the Passion of the Christ you have a picture of the cross. Horrifying! But I wanted to focus on the shame.

What is Shame? We don’t have a sense of it today, Why? Good is evil and evil is good.

Greek - Shame, the confusion of one who is ashamed of anything, sense of shame, ignominy, disgrace, dishonour

ignominy, disgrace, dishonour

This is a stumbling block to many. They will do just about anything for Jesus except endure shame or embarrassment. Spurgeon spoke boldly to Christians who could not bear the shame that comes from the world for following Jesus: “Yet you are a coward. Yes, put it down in English: you are a coward. If anybody called you so you would turn red in the face; and perhaps you are not a coward in reference to any other subject. What a shameful thing it is that while you are bold about everything else you are cowardly about Jesus Christ. Brave for the world and cowardly towards Christ!”

And has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God: This speaks of Jesus’ glorification. The same promise of being glorified (in a different sense) after our shame is true for the Christian.

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Remember the audience here. Nero is emperor.. Things were tough and we may see similar things in our lifetime.

11

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

How many of us had parents who spanked you? If you are like me you hated it at the time but at some point in life you realized it was beneficial.

If you are His child you will feel His correction because He loves us too much to not discipline us.

Which speaks to you as sons: The quotation from reminds us that God’s chastening should never be taken as a sign of His rejection. It is rather a sign of His treating us as His children.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 12

As believers, every sin we commit is forgiven. But even as believers, every sin we commit brings repercussion. Ask David or Moses, Abraham or Cain. So what do we do with the scars from our sin? The same thing Jesus did. After He was scarred in the process of absorbing our sin, He said to Thomas, “You who are cynical and skeptical, touch My wounds.” And, in seeing the scars sin caused in Jesus, Thomas was rescued from his own sin and unbelief (see John 20:27, 28).

You may have blown a marriage. You may have lost your health. You may have bottomed out financially. Who knows what it might be that has scarred you permanently. I wish I could tell you your scar will go way. It won’t. But if you say, “Lord, I give these scars that were brought on because of my sin to You to use,” He will.