“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:1)
I was once taught that anytime you see the word “therefore” in the Bible you should look to see what the “therefore” is there for. In most cases the preceding verse is the clue that unlocks the mystery, and this is certainly the case here:
“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” (Heb 11:39)
So the ‘heroes of the faith’ are the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ watching us from above. It’s as though we are in a gigantic sports arena, “running with endurance the race that is set before us,” and they are cheering us from the stands in Heaven. How encouraging is that image? Remember, these witnesses once ran the same race that we are now running - and they had their own cloud of cheerleaders rooting for them. Amazingly, one day we will be up in the rafters as well, encouraging the generations of believers that come after us. What a privilege to be in that number!
As always, Jesus is the one to keep our eyes on. He is the “...founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” We who are grieving the loss of a loved one have the best coach - one who is the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He suffered so much more than we ever will. Therefore, let us follow His great example and run our race, even though we may feel as if we have been sidelined temporarily by sadness. The joy of Heaven is set before us - what a glorious finish line!
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