Hebrews 12

We have talked about not holding tightly to the things of this world, but holding fast to Christ, who is our greatest possession. Hebrews 12 continues that theme by entreating us to "lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely" (vs 1).

That is no easy task, though! But since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (the witnesses are those mentioned in the previous chapter), we can run with endurance the race that is set before us (vs 1). But not only do we look to them as an example, most of all we look to Jesus (vs 2). He endured so much suffering: he was brutally beaten, spit on, forced to carry his own cross and then hung on it until he suffocated to death. But he endured all the way to his death because of the joy that was set before him!

We too have a joy set before us—the promise of heaven—which is waiting for us if we finish the race having kept our faith. But remember what we said earlier, this is not an easy task! In fact, on our own, it's impossible. Even Jesus cried out to God to carry him through death and raise him to sit at the right hand of the throne of God. How much more do we need Jesus, who founded our faith, to be the one to perfect it?

So it is with confidence that we lay aside every weight. While we hold on to Jesus, we can be sure that he will perfect our faith until we finish the race.