Friday Devo
Scripture:
Hebrews 12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Commentary:
therefore in 12:1 and by the Greek wordplay between “witnesses” (martys, v. 1) and “commended” (martyreō, 11:39). “Witnesses” may have a double meaning: (1) These OT heroes witnessed to their faith by their words and their faithful lives. (2) Like spectators watching an athletic contest in an arena, they may now be watching or “witnessing” believers’ lives. The first sense is a common meaning for the word, but in this verse the imagery of being surrounded by these witnesses gives the sense that they are eagerly watching from heaven, and the image of running the race that is set before us might lead one to think of an athletic race in a sports arena, with all these heroes of the faith from ch. 11 watching as present-day believers take their turn in the same race that they once ran. However, nowhere else does the NT envisage saints in heaven watching saints on earth, nor does it encourage Christians ever to pray to these believers in heaven or to ask for their prayers. Christ prays for his people (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25) and is the only mediator between them and God (1 Tim. 2:5). The Holy Spirit helps their prayers (Rom. 8:26–27), and all Christians are priests with the right of direct access to God (Heb. 4:16; 10:22; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9). lay aside. This first exhortation pictures sin as a weight (or “impediment”) to be discarded, since otherwise it ensnares or obstructs the athlete. let us run. A metaphor also found in Paul (1 Cor. 9:24–27; 2 Tim. 4:7–8), with a focus on endurance in the faith (see Heb. 12:2–3; cf. 10:32, 36).
12:2 founder. See note on 2:10. perfecter. Through his atoning work, Christ’s perfection leads to the perfection of his people (which will be realized fully on the last day; see note on 11:39–40). for the joy that was set before him endured. The cross of Christ represents the greatest suffering in history, for Jesus not only suffered physically but also experienced God’s just wrath in taking upon himself the sin of the world. Still, the promise of future reward and joy gave Jesus strength to suffer. despising the shame. Crucifixion, performed naked and in public, and inflicting prolonged pain on the victim, was intended to cause shame as well as death (cf. 6:6; see note on Matt. 27:35). at the right hand. See Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12.
12:2 founder. See note on 2:10. perfecter. Through his atoning work, Christ’s perfection leads to the perfection of his people (which will be realized fully on the last day; see note on 11:39–40). for the joy that was set before him endured. The cross of Christ represents the greatest suffering in history, for Jesus not only suffered physically but also experienced God’s just wrath in taking upon himself the sin of the world. Still, the promise of future reward and joy gave Jesus strength to suffer. despising the shame. Crucifixion, performed naked and in public, and inflicting prolonged pain on the victim, was intended to cause shame as well as death (cf. 6:6; see note on Matt. 27:35). at the right hand. See Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12.
Questions:
- In Acts 20, Paul knows he is about to die. Knowing this, he challenges the Ephesian elders to wake up and be vigilant and faithful, to live for what's most important. And we should take the same advice! How awful would it be to get to the end of OUR race only to find out we won at the wrong game? What race are YOU running?
- Clayton's challenge for us on Sunday was to WAKE UP! Don't fall asleep! Wake up for WORSHIP, for the WORD, and for WORK. We need to be devoted to meeting together with other believers to worship God. We need pray God would give us a burning desire for more Scripture. And we need to remember the we are a watchman on the wall. We need to stay alert and vigilant against the enemy that would try to entice us into deception. Is there life in you? Have you fallen asleep? Do you need a fresh spark? How can we pray for you in your walk with the Lord?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would run the right race.
- That God would help you stay awake!
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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