“Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”
Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG
Ever been in a race? Maybe a relay race in elementary school. Or your first 5K. Or perhaps a marathon. No matter what kind of race, to do well you must:
– wear light clothing
– keep on running to the finish line
– be in good health
– focus on the goal
– actually start the race
– study how winners did it
– press through the pain
– put up with obstacles along the way
That’s what Jesus did! He ran the race of His life! And not only did He finish well..but He won!
And we are told to “keep your eyes on Jesus…study how He did it.” Study how He never lost sight of where He was headed.
Jesus ALWAYS knew, even in eternity-past, living in perfect fellowship with His Father and Holy Spirit, that one day He would step out of eternity into time to become sin for us…even though He knew no sin.
OUCH! That’s the race He needed to run? The finish line and focus was the cross? His death to give us life. That race doesn’t sound like something I would PR (personal record) in. But Jesus did!!
He looked beyond the cross. He looked beyond the shame. He looked beyond the hostility. He looked beyond the whatever because His REAL finish line…His goal post…was in heaven! Once again, back into perfect fellowship with His Father.
But this time He is at the right hand of God the Father, the place of honor!!! All power and authority now given to Him by His Father. In fact, Philippians 2 tells us that one day, “every knee will bow and every tongue proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
If you’re lagging a bit in your race, look to Jesus…the Ultimate Race Winner of All Time!
