Hebrews 12

Jesus, the Example

1   Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2   fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3   For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

If there was a listening device or a channel to tune into the resounding witness from heaven, and we had access to it, it would be the ultimate in surround sound.  I recently added surround sound to our T.V. system and...  It’s awesome!  Crisp, clear, powerful and full. 

When days or seasons of our life are cluttered with anxious thoughts or heavy feelings of life’s burdens we need to tune our hearts toward heaven and listen.  Hebrews talks about a “great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.”  A witness is that which testifies to what is.  First, we are not alone.  Second, the focus is on the here and now, not on what may or may not be happening, especially tomorrow.  Tomorrow has a enough worries of it’s own.  No matter how long you live there are times when you need to draw upon the strength of what is. 

We could spend a month on these three verses alone, but I’ll leave that up to you.  For now, let’s look at the obvious points and ask the Spirit of God to give each us His impartation.

• Lay aside
• Run with endurance
• Fix your eyes
• Consider Him

Point one; lay aside.  If you lay something aside you leave a space that was once occupied by something or someone.  If it’s aside, then it’s not in front.  Most of the stuff we’re burdened with is right in front – literally in your face.  However, if it’s not in front then you can move forward without the obstacle that kept getting in your way and creating detours.  It is imperative that you take steps toward God once those obstacles are removed, otherwise they will show up again and trip us up even more.  If the obstacles are now gone, make the first points of engage as steps toward God.  Romans 12, says it this way, “The night is almost gone and the day is near.  Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  You just don’t put any old thing in this place, but you put into place that which was meant to be there all along.  You were once darkness, but now you are light.  Structure your thoughts and life based on the reality of what is, not what was.  The strategy of the enemy is to remind you of what was.  The purpose of the Father is to secure and help you contend for what is. 

Point two; run with endurance.  This can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never run before.  I’ve been running more and more recently; partly because my wife likes to participate in these 5k road races.  Sounds like her problem, right? 

Not really, endurance is best realized when you can share it with others. 

I’m strengthened best when I’m not isolated away from the presence of God.  God has a tendency to use the presence of others – in whom He dwells – to fortify and encourage what He’s trying to do in me.  So, guess what?  I’m running too.  Here’s the caution.  It’s easy to fall into a comparison mindset shortly after you start something.  You know, look how far so and so runs, or look how fast, or why do they seem to …. And the list can go on and on and can entangle us even before we’ve gotten off the starting line.

Point three; fix your eyes.  We are in a day and time when focus is paramount.  Focus is best defined as “a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding; a point at which rays (as of light, or sound) converge or from which they appear to diverge.”

When I feel entangled or overwhelmed by what I perceive as being my situation then my understanding falls to the limits of that perception.  The word says that His understanding has no limits.  My understanding is very limited.  Therefore my focus must be fixed on His unlimited ability to act according to His purpose for me and through me.  When this happens then clarity about a situation takes place.  Part two of the focus definition calls this convergence.  Earlier in point one I stressed the need to put on the armor of light.  That light that comes through us as we are focused on Jesus as the author and perfector of our faith now has the ability to penetrate areas of resistance that previously were impenetrable.

Point four; consider Him.  Let me share one more Webster definition.  It really helps in this last point.  To consider means to; 1 : to think about carefully: as a : to think of especially with regard to taking some action 
2 : to regard or treat in an attentive or kindly way <he considered her every wish>
3 : to gaze on steadily or reflectively.

Well this is, an will remain the breakthrough point.  This is the life point or worship point.  I love it.  Every time there’s a shift in regard to who we are and how we do things we must consider Him.  My tendency is to consider myself and that‘s where I get off track.  To think about what I can't do rather than what God can do.  My tendency is to think about what’s in this for me.  My tendency is to take some action that I think will result in what’s best for me.  And yet, the reality of what is meant to take place is the exact opposite.  It’s really a choice.  The Lord can’t and won’t make you take note of Him.  He waits without judgment or condemnation for us until we choose to think about Him first; to seek Him and trust Him in every regard.  In other words; to do that which is His pleasure and not mine(remember Jesus after He was baptized, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased);  To gaze steadily and reflectively upon Jesus, the eternal one, the Holy one, on that which is and is to come. 

“4 One thing I ask of the LORD ,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.”  Psalm 27:4,5

Father in Heaven,

My prayer is that we would not be anxious or lose heart.  So, Lord by Your grace, would you strengthen me with Your very presence.  Strengthen me with renewed vision and hope.  Cause Your purpose for me and in me to flourish in ways that only You can orchestrate.  Lord Jesus, I trust You and want to know You.  I need You and want to serve You.  I love You and want to be close to You in ways that I have never experienced before.  But Lord, no matter what happens experientially I WILL LIVE FOR YOU.  I will remain steadfast in the fact that You are my King, my Lord, my Savior, and my friend.