Finish Strong

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

English Standard Version 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, 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.

It’s a grueling 543.7 mile endurance race from Sydney to Melbourne, Australia – the world’s longest and toughest ultra-marathon.

In 1983, 150 world-class runners converged on Sydney for the event.

On the day of the race, a toothless 61 year old potato farmer and sheepherder named Cliff Young approached the registration table wearing overalls and galoshes over his work boots.

At first, people thought he was there to watch the race, but to their surprise, Cliff Young declared his intention to run and requested a number.

Cliff Young had grown up on a farm without the benefit of luxuries like horses and four wheel drives. When the storms rolled in, Cliff headed out to round up 2000 sheep over a 2000 acre farm. Sometimes he had to run them two or three days to complete the round up.

The incredulous staff issued Cliff #64. As he mingled with the other runners at the starting line, spectators couldn’t believe their eyes. “This must be a joke!” some mused.

When the gun went off, bystanders snickered at Cliff, left behind in his galoshes and overalls as the other runners with their sculpted bodies and running gear briskly began the race.

Snickers gave way to laughter when Cliff began to run, not like the other runners, but with what could only be described as a leisurely, odd, shuffle.

All of Australia was riveted to the live telecast as they watched the scene unfold. “Someone should stop that crazy old man before he kills himself!”

Five days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes later, Cliff Young came shuffling across the finish line in Melbourne, winning the ultra-marathon! He didn’t win by a few seconds, or even a few minutes. The nearest runner was 9 hours and 56 minutes behind.

Australians were stunned at this remarkable yet seemingly impossible victory. How did it happen?

Everyone knew that to run the ultra-marathon, runners would run for 18 hours, then stop and sleep for six hours. This routine was repeated for five punishing days.

But no one told Cliff Young. He just shuffled along, day and night, night and day, without stopping to sleep. Cliff broke the previous race record by nine hours and became overnight a national hero.

Interestingly, professional runners began to study and experiment with the odd shuffle that Cliff used in his running. Many long distance runners have since adopted what has come to be called the “Young shuffle” due to its aerodynamic and energy efficiency.

Victory in the Christian life comes through endurance. The Christian life is not a 100 yard dash. It is a marathon. In the short distance race, speed is important. In the long distance race, endurance is what leads to success.

In the race of the Christian life, some things are standard for all believers. As Hebrews 12:1 says, the race is “set before us.”

But each of us must run the race in our own special way with the gifts and talents God has endowed us.

Against all odds, we run the race.

“For the joy before Him” Jesus endured. You and I are His joy!

When we run the Christian ultra-marathon with endurance, keeping our focus on Jesus, we can be assured of finishing strong and hearing those cherished words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Finish Strong! Finish Well!

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being persecuted for their faith. It was written to strengthen them in their time of suffering. The eleventh chapter recounts the exploits of great men and women of faith:

• It talks about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, and David—the great heroes of the faith. • It talks about their steadiness under fire. • It talks about their heroism and sacrifices in God’s service. • It tells us of their achievements.

They:

• Conquered kingdoms, • Administered justice, • Shut the mouths of lions, • Quenched the raging fire, • Won strength out of weakness, • And put foreign armies to flight.

The author of Hebrews talked about heroes—people of great faith—people of great sacrifice—people of great achievement. He reminds us that we are surrounded by these great heroes, and then calls us to be heroes too.

We all want to finish strong. We want to leave a legacy for those who will follow. Let’s look briefly at three aspects each of us must consider to finish the race that is ahead of us.

1. We must prepare ourselves to race.

When we think about it, we generally think of the physical preparation. We think about the miles logged, the stretching, the strengthening; but, physical preparation isn’t enough. There has to be mental preparation as well. We must realistically evaluate our current condition in order to make gains.

2. We must purpose ourselves to race.

In other words, we have to commit. We have to be determined. We cannot give up. The toll has already been calculated. There is no room for second quessing. The reward far outweighs the sacrifice.

3. We must position ourselves to race.

Preparation and determination mean nothing unless you show up at the starting line. You cannot finish what was never started.

With these in mind, read John 19:28-30 with me. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus finished strong. He was prepared, He was determined and He was in position. He labored in prayer in the garden the night of His arrest; yet, His mind was made up. I want you to think about this for a minute, Jesus knew the outcome when He started.

And you know the outcome, the reward, the prize at the end of this race. To be forever in the presence of our Creator is the prize that awaits us. The reward is still worth the sacrifice. Let us run this race with Christ as our example.