Hebrews 12:1-2 reads: “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, 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” (NKJV). Let’s break down this passage and may the Spirit of God bless our meditations.

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” The writer of Hebrews is writing to converted Jews, seeking to encourage them to endure the “trials of faith.” He had just written, in chapter 11 (which has been rightly called “the faith chapter”), of many men and women from the Old Testament who walked by faith and were victorious in their trials through faith. These are the “great cloud of witnesses” referred to in our verse. The word “witness” has two meanings; one is “to behold” and the other is “to bear testimony.” We believe our verse is referring to the second meaning and thus all of the men and women of faith are “bearing witness to us of how to live a victorious life of faith.”

“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.” The Christian’s life is likened unto a “race.” It begins at conversion and it ends when we get to heaven. Our life may be short (like a “hundred yard dash”), but with most it is a long life (like a “marathon”). Running a race requires much discipline and endurance; the Christian’s “life of faith” is no different. The Apostle Paul used the analogy of a race and the discipline we must have in 1st Corinthians 9:24-27: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things…I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” Like a runner, we are to “lay aside every weight.” No one running in a race would slow themselves down by carrying something they don’t need. So, the Christian who wants to make progress in the life of faith must strip himself of anything that would hinder spiritual growth. It may be something harmless in and of itself, but if it “slows us down” in the race we are in, we must set it aside. We are also to get rid of “the sin which so easily ensnares us.” This may speak of a particular sin that we are prone to falling into, or it may be the “sin of unbelief” which will surely stop us dead in our tracks, for “faith” and “unbelief” can’t coexist at the same time.

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Jesus is the supreme OBJECT of our faith! When He was here He walked as a lowly, dependent Man and thus He set the EXAMPLE for us to follow. In that sense He is the “Author of faith,” for He has shown us what the life of faith is like. He is also the “Finisher of faith,” for He finished the race triumphantly when He became “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (see Philippians 2:8)

“Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” Here we learn that our Savior kept His eye focused on “the joy that was set before Him” and this enabled Him to “endure the cross” and “despise the shame.” What exactly is this speaking of?  We believe it speaks of the joy of having His redeemed ones with Him in heaven. Psalm 16:11 says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy” and in Isaiah 53:11 we read, “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.” The Lord Jesus was strengthened in his “life of faith” by looking on to the time when His blood-bought saints would reach the glory; He will see them and be satisfied! Likewise, we too should be looking on to the glory when we shall see Him and be satisfied, as David said in Psalm 17:15, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” (215.5)  (DO)