Text: Hebrews 12: 1-2
Purpose in the Goal
Where we are going gives purpose to where we are. Although the illustration used in this text is that of a race, the emphasis here is not on the speed with which we run, but on the goal toward which the race is won. This goal is what gives purpose to our life. Speed often distracts us from the goal. We think that if we are busy, people will think we are doing well in life. But speed can kill spiritually. As the world picks up speed through Internet connections and business is transacted faster and faster, we may find ourselves caught up in the race that is heading nowhere fast. Rapidly increasing change finds us running too fast much of the time. The danger in living life in this fast lane is that we do not keep our eyes on where we are going and pay too much attention to the passing ground beneath our feet. We will eventually trip and fall. “We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith.”
Looking Beyond Ourselves
When we keep Jesus as the focus of our lives we are less likely to pay too much unhealthy attention to ourselves. It is not good to focus on ourselves except to realize where we are and where we need to be with Jesus. There is always a danger of looking to ourselves rather than to Jesus as we live our daily lives. Unbelievers pay too much attention to themselves rather than to God. Christians, too, sometimes pay too much attention to themselves and not enough to Jesus who “saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him.” If we don’t focus on Jesus we may begin to focus on ourselves.
Perfected by Jesus
Some people mistakenly believe that “being saved” is the work of Jesus and that our spiritual improvement is our own work, but that is not the case. Jesus has already won the race for us, and by the work of the Holy Spirit in our baptism he has perfected us. In a sinful world we still see imperfection, but when we “get rid of the sin that distracts us,” it will all become clear. We are both sinners and forgiven at the same time. We are being perfected daily in Christ. Our Father sees us as his own sons or daughters through the lens of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit and reclaims us as his own.
We Cannot Lose
Meanwhile, we live a life of daily repentance, confessing our sins, and keeping our eyes on Jesus “the source and goal of our faith.” We run the race “that lies ahead of us,” and we “never give up.” This race need not be an Olympic race where speed matters. It is more like a Special Olympics where the prize still awaits us all. As our world picks up speed and we Christians are tempted to dash for the finish line on our own, we must keep our eyes on Jesus who knows the course well and runs it for us. What matters is taking the right steps. What matters for us is not our speed, efficiency, or efforts but keeping the focus on Jesus. We are, after all, riding on his shoulders. He knows the course better than we, therefore we cannot lose.
The Ride of Your Life
When the course gets rough and uncertain, remember we are riding on Jesus’ shoulders. When others urge us to run a different path, remember where your place is. When some urge us to get off and run behind Jesus as if we don’t need the ride, stay where you are and give thanks for the ride. We are like children who think we can do what a big brother can do, but Jesus our brother knows better. He will not let go of us without a fight. He will always fight for us, and he will keep our focus on him as the One who has the “highest position in heaven, the … throne of God.”