Thursday 25 April 2013

From A Park Bench - Hebrews 12 : 1-2



"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Hebrews 12:1-2 

Last weekend saw the running of the 32nd London marathon. I watched the end of the event from the comfort of my sofa and I must admit a secret admiration for all those that took part. Months of dedication, training in all weather’s, pushing their bodies to achieve their personal targets. For some it was to win the race, for others it was to beat a particular time, and for most it was just about enjoying it and making it to the finish. For every one that took part it took determination and courage to make it to the end. 

The writer to the Hebrews encourages us to “run with perseverance the race marked out before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” But what does this mean? Are we by our own efforts and works trying to get the reward for our salvation?

Earlier in Hebrews we are encouraged to ‘labor to enter the rest that God had provided.”

The Christian life is a wonderful adventure from the beautiful place of Rest. God by his grace has provided everything we need, it is a job done. All we have to do is receive and live in it.

The race we are in is a race into the inheritance and grace of all that God has provided, as we fix our eyes on Jesus, we center ourselves into the grace that overflows our life. This is not a race where we try to win, because we have already won. This is a race of victory, a race of glory, a race of overwhelming love.

Sin hinders us receiving all that God has for us, The Old Testament saints look on and marvel at the wonders that we have and the greater depths that await us, we run from one degree of glory into another degree of glory.

We already have the prize; the prize is Jesus, in all his glory and majesty united inside us with all his fullness. As we run into him we immerse ourselves into the grace of God and we transform ourselves into his likeness.

1 comment:

  1. there is much we can glean from these...and he was very intentional in his use of metaphor here as well...the running of the race and the focus on how we run it...not finish it...smiles.

    ReplyDelete

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