Running the Race

All of us have attended events where we have cheered on sports teams, children, grandchildren, and other friends and family. When those we were cheering for did something good, we would stand, clap, and maybe yell when Hendon Hooker hits Cedric Tillman on a slant pattern from the slot, and he takes it 45 yards to the house. We have probably said other things that are not as cheerful but still boisterous when there was a fumble, an interception, or another Alabama running back runs for a 99-yard touchdown on our sieve of a defense.

Our passage today takes some of those athletic themes and applies them to the spiritual life. Throughout the end of chapter 10 and into chapter 11, the author of Hebrews has used Habakkuk 2:3-4

Habakkuk 2:3–4 ESV

3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

as his main scripture for this fifth and final sermon. He has spent the majority of his time dealing with the last part of that passage, “but the righteous shall live by faith.” He takes several examples throughout the history of Israel to show the various ways that God’s people had been faithful.

In our section today, we have a list of military leaders and even the prostitute, Rahab, who was also part of Jesus’ lineage. He also turns to a group of unnamed individuals who have suffered persecution for the sake of Christ. These saints have been tortured, imprisoned, and even killed for their faith. He refers to them as those “of whom the world was not worthy.” It was their faith and reliance on God that sustained them as they faced hostility from the world and allowed them to persevere in times of suffering.

But for all of these listed from Enoch to Noah to Abraham to Moses to all of those who are unnamed, they are to be commended for their faith but did not receive what was promised. They were waiting for something even better. They had the vision of what that would be but did not live to see it realized. But we have. That promise was the coming of Jesus that provides something so much better than what they experienced. Now, all of these are cheering us on as we all await the consummation of God’s kingdom when Christ returns.

1. We are surrounded by those who have gone before us.

If we go back to the very beginning of chapter 11, the author takes us through the history of humanity and how there is an unbroken chain or line of faith that extends all the way back to the beginning of creation. All of these “heroes of the faith” that are listed are people who are far from perfect yet provide for us human examples of what it means to have faith in God. The chain of faith is held together by people who are grasping this line of salvation with both hands. Generation after generation take this faith and pass it to the next generation so that as the author says in Hebrews 2:10, that this line of faith will bring “many children to glory” in Jesus. But all of these individuals who now know the fullness of God’s glory are cheering all of us on. Even all of the saints who have gone before us after the writing of this letter - friends, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and all those who knew Christ as their Savior are cheering all of us on as we continue to take this same line of faith and pass it on to new disciples today.

In Isaiah 40:3, the prophet says, “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” Those who have gone before us have helped us to see the way that is ahead. They are experiencing what they could not in this life. They are cheering us on because they are well aware of the destination in Christ. They were good examples of how we might live. But there is a greater example that is only found in Christ. They have an excitement and a joy that they could not experience in this life, but we have because we know Christ. Even without knowing fully what was ahead, they gave themselves to God. Now that we have a fuller picture, what more do we give in service for God?

2. We must remove those things which weigh us down.

Romans 13:12 ESV

12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

3. Jesus has prepared the way.

Hebrews 5:9 ESV

9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Psalm 110:1 ESV

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”