Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 WEB
At the time of their composition, the books of the Bible were not organized into chapters and verses. Upon organizing Paul’s letter to the Hebrews into chapter and verse, scholars chose to begin chapter twelve with Paul’s reasoning for setting aside all sin and persisting in faith. And so, the first verse of chapter twelve is a continuation of the argument Paul made in previous chapters for putting faith into action.
The great cloud of witnesses mentioned by Paul refers to a long list of Hebrew ancestors who actively demonstrated faith in God with their behavior. In the previous chapter, Paul mentioned Abel who by faith offered a more pleasing sacrifice to God than his brother Cain. Additionally, Paul wrote of Enoch who pleased God so thoroughly with his faith that the Lord took him into heaven without experiencing death. Paul continues, describing the active faith of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Perfecter of Faith
In chapter eleven, the list of faithful biblical figures goes on with notable examples such as King David, Rahab the prostitute, and Sampson. Each of these individuals received God’s favor because of their active demonstration of faith in the one true God. In giving these examples, Paul appealed to his Hebrew readers to understand the crucial role Christ played in the salvation of mankind. Like the Israelites of old, Jesus placed his faith fully in our heavenly Father. With perseverance, Christ demonstrated obedience, trusting God for his resurrection while paying the price for our sins on the cross.
Unlike the faith filled examples of the Hebrew predecessors, the eternal Christ lived a sinless life. For this reason, Paul called Jesus the perfecter of faith. Using the metaphor of a race, Paul encouraged his readers to “run with perseverance” to the finish line of this life holding fast to faith in God. He added in Hebrews 12:2, “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the examples of active faith in the Holy Bible. Thank you for the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Help me to run with perseverance in the race set before me. Guide me to live according to your word and will. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Forgive Them
