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“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”
(Hebrews 12: 1-2)

 In his epistle of Hebrews, the apostle Paul encouraged the “diaspora” or dispersed Jews to remain steadfast in the midst of persecutions and afflictions. “Compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,” they may take courage from these past heroes of faith who had themselves run the heavenly race and had safely reached their eternal home.   No fiery flame or devouring sword could daunt their spirit, nor quench their zeal of faith.  With God as their focus, they ran faithfully and ultimately obtained the everlasting prize.

In this life-long spiritual pursuit, Christians must be prepared to lay aside every encumbrance – “every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us” - which impede the route to Heaven.  This may refer to one sin above all others that defeats one’s Christian life.  For one person, the besetting sin may be sensual lust; for another it may be covetousness, gossip, gluttony or envy.  That sin must be put off in order to triumphantly run the race of faith.  May the Lord help us to put off all besetting sins and all self-pleasing and self-indulgent tendencies.

IV.  Run with patience.

The Christian must “run with patience” (Greek “hypomonè”).  This can be translated as “endurance” – a quality that every athlete must cultivate.  This attribute is necessary as there are many hardships, disappointments, discouragements  along the way;  unless we are enabled to possess our souls in patience, we shall never persevere unto the end.   Take heed, my brethren that we faint not because the journey is long and the way lies through a wilderness.  We must not quit the race, nor murmur when we are chastened of the Lord, but say with Eli: “It is the LORD: let Him do what seemeth Him good” (I Sam. 3: 18b).

Let us follow the example of Moses, one of the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11.  With eyes of faith, Moses chose to identify with God’s people and to bear reproach on behalf of Christ:  “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of  God,  than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (vv. 24-26). 

David, the man after God’s own heart, was another example of enduring faith.  Hunted like a criminal by Saul, he lived as a fugitive in the wilderness.  Yet when given the opportunity for revenge, he responded meekly: “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD” (I Sam. 24: 6).   When fleeing from his own son Absalom, he bore patiently, the wicked curses and provocative words of Shimei : “Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.  It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day” (II Sam. 16:11-12).

Finally, let us consider the example of the Lord Jesus Christ Who “endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin” (Heb. 12: 3-4).   Peter wrote of Him, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:  Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (I Pet. 2: 21-23).

Beloved, let us run with patience - or we shall never obtain.  There may be many things we cannot understand.  But let us persevere to the end, when all shall be made plain, and God’s ways shall be proved the best.  Think not to have our reward on earth.  “Today is the cross—but tomorrow is the crown.  Today is the labour—but tomorrow is the wages.  Today is the sowing—but tomorrow is the harvest.  Today is the battle—but tomorrow is the rest.  Today is the weeping—but tomorrow is the joy.  And what is today compared to tomorrow?  Today is but threescore years and ten—but tomorrow is eternity” – J C Ryle.   Be patient and hope unto the end.

V.  Look continually unto Jesus.

We are to run our race “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.”  Let us behold Him as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, and rest entirely on His righteousness.  It will be His joy to present His elect “holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight” (Col. 1: 22; I Thess. 3: 13).   As we go on our course, let us learn of the Lord - His love, His humility, His grace, His compassion, His purity, His self-denial, His zeal for souls, His prayerfulness.  And as we look - we shall daily become more and more like Him.
 
Look unto Jesus!  Here is the secret that kept that cloud of witnesses steadfast and unmoveable in the path of righteousness.  We will triumph gloriously only if we look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith.  Only He can preserve and see us safely to our eternal home!