By Chuck Deveau
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (emphasis added).
This captivating photo (left), taken by Dean Mayo, is an inspiring visual for us as Christians. This cloud formation reminds me that our life’s journey is likened to a race run in the energy of daily trust in Jesus Christ. This is not a sprint but a marathon. It begins with a straightforward exercise of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, through which the believer receives the gift of eternal life. The race begins with an act of faith and will be successfully run in the power and principles of this same initial faith. The race began for me nearly five decades ago when I became personally persuaded that Jesus Christ is the sole object of saving faith and the sole Giver of the gift of eternal life—a gift to us but bought by Him at an enormous price!
Perhaps, as suggested by verse 1 of our text, the writer of Hebrews had in mind a thrilling cloud formation like this one when he wrote about the heroes and heroines of faith—many of whom are listed by name in Hebrews Chapter 11—who have run the race of faith before us. But most poignantly, the cloud of witnesses points us to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is “the author and finisher of our faith.” He is both the starting point and the finishing line of our race of faith. It is He on whom we must fix our spiritual gaze to run a successful, rewardable race and finish strong!
If we take our spiritual eyes off Him, we will falter and even be tempted to drop out of the race altogether (Matt 24:45-51). If we do, we will miss sharing in the Messiah’s joy, which was His trophy—the “gold medal”—at the end of His long, arduous journey of faith. To complete His journey successfully, He “endured the cross, despising the shame.” When He was finished—with the “gold medal” draped around His neck and with hands scarred by the piercing nails used to crucify Him on a Roman gibbet—He “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Until He returns and establishes His seat of government in Jerusalem, “the throne of grace” (Heb 4:16) is where He presently resides at “the right hand of the throne of God.” He is the believer’s “merciful and faithful High Priest” (Heb 2:17).
Today, He invites all believers to share in His joy! But we must adhere to the admonitions in verse 1 of this text and run our race of faith with endurance right up to and through the finish line! Remember, our race of faith is not a sprint. It is an ultra-marathon! It is arduous, and it requires great courage and stamina.
To all my fellow runners in the race of faith: See you at the finish line as we all joyfully collapse into the loving, gracious arms of the King of kings, and maybe, just maybe, hear from His lips, “Well done!”
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Chuck Deveau is the host of “The Things That Matter” radio broadcast on KRAQ 100.1 FM, Remnant Radio, Sundays at 8:00 a.m. PST. He also serves with Men of Messiah ministries located in La Quinta, Ca.
