During our pilgrimage to Iona, Stanley our pilgrimage leader shared a reflection from Hebrews 12:1–2.
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. 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. (NLT)
I was reminded that the imagery here is not a sports stadium with spectators watching you run. It is a picture of those who have finished the race of discipleship, looking back at those of us still running behind them, and cheering us on so that we too may finish the race faithfully as they did.
In the NT, however, a witness is never a passive spectator but an active participant who confirms and attests the truth as a confessing witness. [1]
Hebrews Chapter 11 gives us a list of such witnesses. In addition, each of us will also have our own list.
The writer of Hebrews compares the Christian life to a race that one must run with endurance. There will be challenges. There will be times when one is tempted to give up. Jesus is our model and encourager. He finished His race though it included a visit to the Cross. We look to Christ to enable us to be like Him. He initiates and will perfect our faith. We have our part to play, removing from our lives sins that cling to us and distract us. The race will be demanding but we look to the empowerment of Jesus and the encouragement of friends who have gone ahead, to cross the finish line. Furthermore, there is the incentive of the incredible joy that awaits beyond the finish line.
With the passing of time, more and more people I know have finished their race, and now are looking back, and cheering me on. In recent times, peers like Alex Tang and Michael Moey, beloved profs and mentors like JI Packer, Ward and Laurel Gasque, and close friends like Shaun Ling, have finished their races and are now looking back and cheering me on.
There is a line at the ending of the movie Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon (2008) that says: “When our missions are accomplished, we shall meet again.” My friends await me and will welcome me when I have finished my race.
As the days pass, more go ahead, and the cheers get louder. Coming my friends, coming.
________
[1] William L. Lane, Hebrews 9 – 13 (Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1991), 408.