Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:1-2
One of the great things about the Bible is that every time I read it, God shows me something new. I had a professor in seminary, Dr. Pentecost, who once said that even after teaching the Bible for more than 60 years, he still spent hours pouring over the Scriptures every day because God was still teaching him more. Just when we think we’re familiar enough with a bit of Scripture, God shows us that our familiarity with it is actually rather small.
I’ve heard this passage from Hebrews a b’jillion times before. Chances are, if you’ve been following Jesus for any length of time, you’ve also heard the “run the race with endurance” sermons as well.
But I’ve never actually studied this one in the greater context of Hebrews.
Who are the witnesses? Scholars debate this, and when taken out of context, witness can refer to a lot of things. But, verse markers weren’t put in place until several hundred years after this was written. So, in context, this comes right after the author lists more than a dozen men and women of long ago who lived a life of faith. In my opinion, the witnesses are those who have gone before us, cheering us on from heaven.
That’s a side note. Within the book of Hebrews as a whole, what stood out to me this time? The emphasis on community.
Over and over Hebrews tells us to surround ourselves with Godly people. Hebrews 3:13 says we’re to encourage each other daily; chapter 4 talks about rest, but in a plural way – we’re collectively to honor the Sabbath so that no one (individually) will fall into unbelief; chapter 6 talks about leaving behind the “elementary teachings” of things like repentance, baptism, and faith so that we can collectively move onto the deeper things of God, so that no one will fall away.
Over and over we see how God created us to live in community. He never meant for us to live this life alone. This is why churches emphasize the need to be in a small group or at least serving alongside others.
In this verse, we’re surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Whether that cloud of witnesses are those who have gone before us, or those who are currently surrounding us, the point is the same: we’re not alone.
And in that, we can confidently step into the life God created for us.