Eddie Ward Funeral

Do Not Grow Weary

(NRSV)

The Example of Jesus

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12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (NRSV)

11 My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights. How is it even possible that these two scriptures could go together but they do, in some unbelievable way. As I met with the family on Tuesday to discuss the service, I could since that the family really wanted to avoid running the race set before them. I imagined all the times that Eddie himself, might have wished he had not been asked to run the race that he had before him. I try to imagine how Jesus might have imagined the death on the cross and how he would like to give up that race as well. (NRSV)

42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”

Consider the very next passage after , and consider how those who are called to run their race are also called to not become weary. (NRSV)

3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. How can we, in our humanness not grow weary? Think of Peter, who walked on water to get to his savior, but when he took his eyes off the prize began to sink. We are never strong enough in our humanness, but with God all things are possible. (NRSV)

28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

So, how can we run the race that has been put before us? Notice that in that scripture, The author starts out by saying that since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, You see it is those around us that help us through. The author of Hebrews calls us to recognize those around us that believe. If you recognize the cloud of witnesses in your presence, you can endure.

And now, let me tell you why you can endure. Not because of anything we do but because of what he did, (NRSV)

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.