Heb. 12.1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:1-2)
This passage is, to me, an outstanding summary of our call as Christians. It requires little comment, but much reflection. We are to set aside the sin for which we are now cleansed, not letting the memory of it burden us and distract us from following that path ahead. It is a journey and a race, not to say that we must rush or hurry, rather that it is a competition with the world and so will be gruelling. But we are to look to Jesus as our guide and redeemer to receive our strength and encouragement. He has gone ahead and prepared the way so that we might enter into the very throne room of God where we will be received and welcomed as brothers and sisters of Christ, heirs of his eternal kingdom.
That is it. Be forgiven, press on following Christ, in the knowledge that the prize is certain.
Tomorrow: “Endure trials for the sake of discipline.”
4 thoughts on “Lenten Devotional: The Summary of Our Call”
Well, since you were lamenting on air the lack of comments for the Lenton Devotional, this one brought some thoughts to mind which I considered, but then thought not to post. Basically, it was with regard to the Christian who has been running the spiritual race at 95% of max heart rate for a very long time, barely making it over the hurdles. He is tired, dehydrated, but longing for the finish line. Then all of a sudden another group of Christian coworkers decides to toss a brick at him. How long does he get to lie sprawled on the ground treating his wounds before he must get up again? Should he change his behavior the next time he is running over the hurdles with other Christian coworkers nearby? Certainly looking to Christ is required.
This thought probably isn’t within the usual exegetical scope for this passage. It does seem to me to be rather practical.
So my whining paid off! Thanks Looney! I do appreciate your comment and find it well within the scope of this passage.
As someone in a national church with a whole lot of brick bats being thrown around (reminds me of the old Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse) I understand exactly what you are saying. But I also feel that we have a modern problem of not naming sin for what it is. The result is that Christians stumble around with massive weights because they won’t recognize it for what it is.
Yes, the sin that entangles is certainly there. When the bricks fly and people get whacked for apparently random reasons, it still seems helpful for the victims to relax and ponder their own sins and how much it has slowed them down, in spite of the wrong doings of others. I can’t claim before God that I haven’t done anything wrong like Job claimed.
Oh I agree. Entirely.