Finish the Race: Hebrews 12:1-3
Finish the Race: Hebrews 12:1-3
Winston Churchill was not a tall man but he was a great man. He had guided his nation through one of its most turbulent times in history. On one occasion, Churchill was invited to speak at his Alma Marta. The audience waited with reverence to hear the words of one of the greatest statesmen in human history. Standing just over five feet tall, Churchill approached the podium and addressed the crowd with these words: “Young gentlemen, never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never! Never! Never!” and then he sat down. His oratory, though brief, left a lasting impression upon his listeners and continues to inspire today.
In Hebrews 12:1-3 we are encouraged as Christians to never give up on running the race of faith for Christ. Instead, we are to persevere and run the race with endurance. The Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. A sprint is a test of speed. A marathon is a test of endurance. In our text the author gives two reasons for remaining in the race.
First, there is the example of the saints. The word “therefore” in Hebrews 12:1 is the author’s way of pointing back to chapter eleven in which he described the faith and faithfulness of the saints of old. Their example of faith is meant to encourage his readers (and us) to continue in the race of faith. The term “witnesses” refers to someone who gives a testimony. The saints of old are not spectators of what we are doing but are witnesses of what God can do in the lives of persons yielded to Him.
Second, there is the example of the savior. Jesus endured the shame of the cross and the hostility of mankind. The Greek word for “endured” literally means to “abide under”. The Lord remained faithful in-spite of abiding under the pain and shame of the cross. He could have called upon the Heavenly host to rescue him but instead He finished the race that was set before Him. As a result, He secured our salvation. The race of faith, like a marathon, requires endurance and a determination to never give up.
The year was 1968 and the Olympics were being held in Mexico, City. There were 74 competitors from 41 countries and 17 did not finish the race. The Olympic stadium was filled with spectators and reporters as the runner representing Ethiopia crossed the finish line and took the gold medal. Not to diminish the Olympic accomplishment of the one who took gold but the real story of the day was a man named John Stephen Akwhari from Tanzania. During the marathon he fell and severely injured his knee to the point where officials urged him to quit. However, Akwhari persevered and refused to give up. Though he was in pain and in a weakened state he was able to finish the marathon an hour behind the winner. With his knee bandaged and bleeding he fell across the finish line exhausted. When asked by reporters why he did not quit the race, he replied, “My country did not send me to start the race. They sent me to finish.”
The Christian life is a marathon not a sprint. It is a long grueling race that began the day we accepted Christ as our savior. Keep your eyes on Jesus, remain in the race, and never give up until you cross the Heavenly finish line.
