Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus.
Heb 12.1
THE RACE
The author likens reaching perfection to running a race. Not a quick two-hundred-meter dash but a long, arduous marathon; hence the divine directive for believers to keep their eyes on the ‘forerunner’ (6.20). Not only so they don’t lose their way but to also benefit from the encouragement a runner in front provides. The route to perfection has many challenging obstacles—taxing climbs sapping strength, valleys darkened by the ‘shadow of death’, and stretches of spiritual fervor interspersed with those of cold lethargy. Overall, a grueling race with the path ahead often only clear at times. One that has seen many fall at the obstacles to leave for the less demanding life of a spectator. Yet for those determined to finish, the appointed ‘forerunner’ provides all the assistance needed. By looking to Him as their guide, even the weakest can ‘ run with endurance the race’ (12.1).
THE FORERUNNER
Jesus is the appointed front-runner because He has already completed the ‘race’ to perfection (2.10). Not with the advantage of His divine nature as some argue, but as an authentic human being (yet without sin) subject to the weaknesses (tiredness, hunger, etc.) all ‘vessels of clay’ suffer.
Like every believer, Christ was tempted ‘in all points’ (4.15)—
on this the author is emphatic. What surely was more of a trial to His ‘righteous soul’ than any assault we might endure. With most Jews rejecting Him and betrayal by the disciples (even the
closest), the opposition and persecution He endured far outweighs anything we might suffer. Especially when this suffering included the torment of the Cross and His separation from the Father.
THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF FAITH
In running this race, faith is an indispensable ‘ration’. True, others are needed, but faith boosts courage and tenacity. The two traits this race demands the most and about to play an even greater role as the finish line nears. What is on the horizon mandates the faith of believers must increase (even if yours is strong now); especially if it has been static for a long time. Not going from ‘ faith to faith’ (Rom 1.17) must be of real concern.
Yet, if they are not to sink beneath the waves as Peter did (Matt 14.30), faith must be focused on Christ (the forerunner) and ‘His glory’ (2Cor 3.18) and not on the coming ‘storms’.
Yes, large waves fomenting turmoil are to break on every shore, leaving in their wake nations with many traumatized, including not a few believers. Now, you may be an optimist and refuse to consider the threat of bigger ‘storms’, or then again, an ‘ostrich’
living in denial of the ‘signs of the times’. Yet, even with these coping mechanisms you still struggle to have faith. No, shutting the eyes to what is coming is not the way to prepare.
Also of concern is the number of believers putting their faith more in their local church, a ‘charismatic’ ministry, or even in themselves. Some (chiefly those in the ‘hyper-faith’
movement) are even trusting in their faith—they have faith in faith. With others, faith is in their dedication as a disciple rather than in Christ Himself. But Christ is the only truly
‘faithful one’ and trusting in these surrogates is to build on unstable ground.
Faith must rest in what is unchanging, namely, in He who is the ‘same yesterday, today and forever’ (Heb 13.8). Putting faith in what could fluctuate or fail under extreme pressure will
leave many disillusioned with waning enthusiasm for the things of God. Faith can't even be in a prophetic ‘word of promise’ no matter how sure it seems; it may not eventuate at all or as it is interpreted. (This ‘prop’ easily disappoints, often for unknown reasons.) Christ alone is ‘fail-safe’, so if your faith is in anything else, save the heartache and put trust where it belongs.
LOOKING TO JESUS
Finally, faith must rest in what is utterly dependable, a quality also found in Christ alone. Yes, at times it is valid to hang onto a ‘word from the Lord’, but faith must first be in Christ’s integrity and ability to bring it to pass—the promise comes second. No matter how certain a ‘word’ appears to be, losing sight of His wonderful character often means missing the way forward. An axiom not to be ignored when the outcome of a failed prophetic word is often discouragement deep enough to see a waning commitment to the race, enough even to leave it. And when the greek wording means a ‘gaze that is concentrated’, this ‘looking’ (KJV) (12.2) in faith to Christ (‘ consider’ (NKJV) can't be a fleeting glance. It is the gaze Paul refers to in his admonishment to ‘ set your mind on things above’ (Col 3.2) or in the exhortation in this letter of Hebrews to ‘ consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners…lest you become weary and discouraged’ (12.3).
The focus must also be on Christ because He is the ‘ author of faith’ (12.2). Now, ‘ author’ is a translation of the greek word ‘ archegos’ (Grk, Str 747), but a better rendition is
‘principal leader’—the One who inspires and imparts faith. In other words, Christ is the ‘Joshua’ (the name means, Jehovah saves) who can lead believers into the promised land of glory.
Praise God, He is also the ‘finisher’ ( 12.2) or ‘perfecter’ of faith as this verse confirms, ‘ Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it
until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil 1.6). A promise believers dare not lose sight of in the days ahead.
Thankfully, the author also takes pains to explain (more than once) how Christ works to perfect the faith needed.
Essentially, in detailing how it must undergo the trials and tribulations allowed by Heaven. (If nothing else, trials force us to our knees in prayer to cry out as the disciples, ‘Lord, increase (our) faith’.) Yes, tribulation and suffering can do the opposite, causing a loss of faith and confidence in the Lord.
But if embraced, these ‘fiery trials’ (1Pet 1.7) temper faith as fire reinforces steel, and to sidestep them can only be counterproductive. Do not be dismayed, then, when your circumstances include deprivation, opposition, strife, and even sickness (despite receiving ‘the laying on of hands’ or other remedies for healing). All are opportunities for faith to become stronger rather than remain weak, unable to cope with the future ‘time of trouble’.
I’m sure you realize the relative safety and peace the world enjoys now will not last much longer. Dangerous times lie ahead, times the prophet Jeremiah spoke about in this word from the Lord, ‘If you have run with the footmen and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?’ (Jer 12.5) When in flood, the Jordan River running through the lush Valley flushed out the lions so they roamed the higher ground to pose a threat to the human inhabitants (Jer 49.19). Thank God, we are still ‘ running with the footmen’, but it will not always be so. To heed what the Lord says here is wisdom.
The coming turmoil means none can escape the imperative for faith to increase and become strong. Even to that seen in the saints who ‘by faith’ ‘subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens’ (11.33, 34). If you ask me does God expect new covenant believers to do comparable if not greater exploits than theirs—it could well be! Don’t be surprised, then, if Heaven doesn’t answer your prayers for the removal of a ‘thorn in the flesh’ (2Cor 12.17)—even after months or years of pleading. As far as God is concerned, the faith built from such divine agents is more important than relief from suffering. This imperative for faith to increase, then, is not a matter to ignore; especially when, in a final witness to the ungodly, those with ‘great faith’ will be needed to manifest the
‘ peace, joy and righteousness' (Rom 14.17) of the Kingdom. It is wisdom, then, to admit to a lack of faith.
OUR APOSTLE
‘Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle…of our confession, Christ Jesus’
(3.1). As the ‘perfector’ of faith, Christ is also its apostle, i.e.,
'special messenger’. Faith must first focus on His character and ability but also grows stronger ‘by hearing…the word of God'
(Rom 10.17). That is, the living words (‘rhema’ Grk) of Christ believers hear with spiritual ears through the personal reading of Scripture, from direct inspiration to the heart, or when a prophet, preacher, or teacher delivers the thoughts of Heaven.
As the end nears, these ‘words’ boosting faith will become even more important.
But more than the need to hear these ‘rhema words’ is the mandate to heed them. These Hebrew believers were failing to heed the ‘present truth’ (2Pet 1.12) Christ and the apostles had spoken, a lapse the author puts down to falling into the trap of focusing on O.T. messengers—the angels and prophets. With so many today fixated on who God uses to speak a ‘word’ from heaven, we have this same problem. Take note: no matter how illustrious or miraculous their ministry, these mouthpieces for
the Lord are but ‘trumpets’ on His lips. In truth, not much different from the angels who are ‘ ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for…the heirs of salvation’ (1.14). Looking to Him is the wiser choice.
To complete the fulfillment of the ‘Blowing of Trumpets’—it began with Jesus’ ministry—Heaven is raising up other prophetic voices to ‘trumpet’ more significant ‘words’.
Yes, to create faith in the ‘remnant believers’, but when their
‘words’ will also be, ‘living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit’ (4.12), what they ‘trumpet’ is to ‘ cleanse and sanctify’
the church (Eph 5.26-27). These living ‘words’ can pierce the hearts of believers so Christ has a ‘bride’ without ‘spot or wrinkle’ ( Eph 5.27) to rule with Him.
Now, what I have written above calls for a word of caution.
Namely, not every ‘word’ spoken by those claiming to be a prophet is to be ‘swallowed’. Before any prophecy is accepted, believers must ‘test all things’ (1Thes 5.21) to determine if it is genuinely from Heaven. An important caveat concerning prophets and prophecy especially when there is an explicit warning about those in the endtimes who will lead astray with
‘damnable heresies' (2Pet 2.1). That, plus the problem of so many today believing they have such a gifting. Both factors make it critical to be aware of the danger of ‘prophets’ with false prophecies.
Now, as the end nears and the trials increase in severity, the temptation will only grow stronger to harden the heart and rebel against these divine exhortations. It is important, therefore, for me to stress the imperative believers have to obey these ‘living words’ and not merely hear them. Hence, the author’s warning, ‘ Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me’ (3.7).
To sum up: as chosen vessels ‘trumpet’ the final warnings for the end of the age, it will be pivotal to have ‘an ear to hear what the Spirit says’ (Rev 2.11). An ‘ ear to hear’ believers gain largely by listening to the ‘still small voice’ of the Holy Spirit as time is spent (often, much time) in prayer before the Lord. Sadly, many now are like disobedient children ( dull of hearing’ (5.11), their ears closed to correction. Tragic really, as they will not be able to blame anyone but themselves when reaping the consequences for such a stubborn stance. Do not be misled, rebelling against the ‘trumpet calls’, or even being slow to respond, will not go unpunished. The bible has ample warnings about the outcome of such disregard.
THE GREAT SHEPHERD
Though difficult times lie ahead, the ‘great Shepherd’
( 13.20 ) will take believers through them; as the ‘good shepherd’
( Jhn 10.11) Christ will guide their ‘feet into the way of peace’
(Lk 1.79). These first-century believers pined for Moses, the
‘shepherd’ who led Israel through the wilderness, and though he served as one ‘ faithful in His entire house’ (3.2), Christ is the far superior shepherd. Moses' ministry was commendable, but it cannot compare to Christ’s. The same applies to pastors, leaders, teachers, or other ‘servants’ of God today; for no matter the help they give, it pales in comparison to what Jesus offers in reaching the goal of perfection. No human ‘shepherd’
can provide the guidance, counsel, and care He gives the believer in need of ‘ rest(oration) for (their) soul’ as they pass through the ‘ valley of the shadow of death’. As long as there is the desire to walk in ‘paths of righteousness’, He will supply all they need, even ‘in the presence of enemies’. (Ps 23). Now, this is not to suggest ‘under-shepherds’ are unnecessary as they give much help and guidance. But to rely on them rather than on Christ cannot be wisdom.
OUR COMMANDER
The author also contrasts the ministry of Jesus with that of Joshua, another revered figure in Israel. And though Joshua was the successful commander in the wars against the tribes opposing possession of Canaan, he could not bring Israel into divine ‘rest’. What the nation possessed is a shadow of the true
‘rest’ the church is to finally enjoy in the ‘land of plenty’ where all striving and ‘works of the flesh’ cease. Christ alone is able to bring believers into this divine ‘rest’ and why He appeared to Joshua as the ‘ commander of the Lord’s army’ (Josh 5.14) .
His wisdom and military skill ensure victory over every threat to entering the ‘land’ of glory.
OUR HIGH PRIEST
A believer must also look to Christ as their heavenly High Priest, one with a ministry more excellent than the Aaronic priesthood. When His ‘blood of the everlasting covenant’
(13.20) cleanses all the guilt of sin, a believer can ‘ draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having (their) hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience’ ( 10.22 ). Moreover, His atoning ‘blood’ not only frees from the ‘penalty’ or guilt of sin but will also (eventually) deliver from its ‘power’. Indeed, when the Cross of Calvary secured the defeat of the sin principle working with death (the ‘last enemy’ (1Cor 15.26)), this nemesis of humans will also be overcome. At present, this victory over death is legal and partial, freeing the human spirit of a believer. But when the typology of the ‘Day of Atonement’
is correctly interpreted, it verifies believers can expect the total annulment of the ‘law of sin and death’ before this age ends.
Why? Because the atonement secured for sin by the High Priest on that ‘Day’ was not complete unless the ‘scapegoat’ was released into the wilderness with the nation’s sin imputed to it.
In other words, this foreshadows the removal of sin—and therefore death—from a company of believers in the endtimes.
And since they are no longer subject to the ‘law of sin and death’, they reach the goal of perfection.
The O.T. High Priests were to show mercy and compassion to the ‘ignorant going astray’ (5.2), and Aaron and those after him no doubt did their best to fulfill this role. But with much stronger temptations posing a threat to believers in the future, this need for mercy will be much greater. Critical to this, then, will be Christ’s ministry as the ‘High Priest’ who can tenderly
'sympathize with weaknesses’ (4.15) and cleanse the guilt, shame, and despair. Hence, no matter how erring and weak a believer has been, nothing should stop them from coming boldly to the throne to ‘obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (4.16). As a genuine human in heaven, our High Priest is well aware of every weakness believers are subject to and there is none He will not extend mercy towards.