“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us … run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1
Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, annually hosts their Miracle Mile Race where instead of cheering from the stands, the crowd is on the track and infield, close to the milers. The excitement this creates is amazing.
When I read of the Hebrews 12 witnesses, I think of that Franklin Central crowd cheering the milers on. John Piper observed about our Christian life:
“As we run the race, there is a big, dense crowd of saints pressing in on the track. These saints are the people described in chapter 11 and all other Christians since then that have finished the race before us. They finish the race, circle around, and press into the crowd along the route we are racing. … We look and see examples of … perseverance under every imaginable circumstance: there’s David, who committed adultery and murder, and he finished; … there’s John Mark, the quitter, and he finished; … Jonathan Edwards, who got kicked out of his church, and he finished. … Well, by the power and faith that got them through, I’m going to finish too!” (1991)
When I read of the Hebrews 12 witnesses, I think of that Franklin Central crowd cheering the milers on. John Piper observed about our Christian life:
“As we run the race, there is a big, dense crowd of saints pressing in on the track. These saints are the people described in chapter 11 and all other Christians since then that have finished the race before us. They finish the race, circle around, and press into the crowd along the route we are racing. … We look and see examples of … perseverance under every imaginable circumstance: there’s David, who committed adultery and murder, and he finished; … there’s John Mark, the quitter, and he finished; … Jonathan Edwards, who got kicked out of his church, and he finished. … Well, by the power and faith that got them through, I’m going to finish too!” (1991)
Scripture Focus
Hebrews 11:32-12:3
Insight
Thank You, Lord, for those who have gone before us and who are cheering us on to the finish of our race. Amen
Bible In A Year
- Ezra 3-4
- Psalm 27
- Mark 6
