“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. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
The writer of Hebrews listed some of the “heavy hitters” of the Faith Hall of Fame. His purpose was to encourage his fellow believers in the midst of troubling times. Life was not easy for them. Many were becoming discouraged over their situation, growing weary and fearful due to persecution from the Romans as well as the Jews. Many of them had come to faith in Christ from Judaism but were tempted to go back to following the Mosaic Law with the hope that this would mean an end to persecution, that life would get better. The message of the passage was that they ought to persevere in their faith as did the Old Testament saints. Their faith would help them hold out and endure unto eternal life.
Today we Christians must take heart as the saints of old did. We are in the midst of troubling times and persecution from violent and angry people as well as from the government. Laws have been enacted that not only promote and approve sin and sinful lifestyles, but also seek to limit our ability to preach a balanced gospel message of law and grace. Such situations often exasperate and anger us to the point that many are tempted to abandon the ways of the Lord and His Kingdom. Many are tempted to react to evil circumstances and malicious persecutors as those in the world do. Many seek revenge by resorting to outbursts of malice, hatred, and condemnation. Many argue politics rather than preach the gospel.
The writer of Hebrews teaches that we must endure in the midst of persecution. Jesus embraced the hatred, suffering and shame of the cross because He knew He was blameless. He knew He was in the Father’s will. He knew the outcome and His reward. We too who are in Christ are blameless. Therefore although our circumstances seem dark and chaotic, we are in the Father’s hands. We will receive our reward in the heavenly Kingdom if we hold fast to our faith in Jesus. Yes we ought to be saddened at the darkness that enslaves those who do not have faith in Christ. And we ought to weep and mourn over the grave sinfulness that abounds in our land. But we ought to react to our persecutors with love and compassion as Jesus did.