Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)
Some of my fondest memories as a kid were of sunny winter days when my Father would come get me out of elementary school and take me rabbit hunting. My Dad, Wilbur and Butch (our two beagles), and I would go out into the wild to look for bunnies sunning themselves. In upstate New York the snow can become quite deep. A long hike through the woods can be wearisome for short little legs. I discovered rather quickly that if I could walk behind my Dad in his footsteps my journey would be far easier.
Life can sometimes feel like we are trudging through deep snow. The good news of Hebrews 12:1 is that there are others who have gone on before us clearing for us a path to follow. When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior we are born again into the family of God. In the family of faith, we have father Abraham and all the rest of our spiritual ancestors to “witness” to us on how to run the faith race. These saints have testified to us with their lives and have left for us a great and godly legacy to follow.
Hebrews 11 is the “The Hall of Faith” chapter in the Bible. It is God’s report card, “By faith the elders obtained a good report” (vs. 2). In this chapter, dozens of faith all-stars are highlighted as examples to follow. Then in Hebrews 12, God tells us that the Biblical record of the saints was not just for histories sake, but for our spiritual benefit. The Bible is not a book that is just about yesterday, but it is written for today. It is our faith runner’s manual- our map to follow.
The stories of Scripture have been guideposts and markers for our society for centuries. Even in a post-Christian America there is a remnant of the Bible story map. Let me give you an example. Do you know any men named: Peter, Luke, Phillip, Mark, Andrew, Thomas? Probably many. Now how about Judas? Do you know any women named: Esther, Ruth, Mary, Martha, Sarah, Rebekah? Probably several. Now how about Jezebel? I have a pastor friend named Samson. I asked him how he got his name. He said, “My dad was newly saved and began reading the Bible story about the strong man, Samson. Meanwhile Samson’s mother was giving birth to him. His dad said, ‘Let’s name him Samson!’” After Samson was born his Father finished reading the story, but It was too late. He had already been named. Even in a secular society, people still do not name their kids “Judas” or “Jezebel” and there are not too many Samsons. Instinctively, people know that some people’s lives are pointers to good, and other people markers of warning.
Many Christians and churches worry today about being “relevant” in our modern culture. Scripture instructs us that to be relevant at this moment we must look back. You must look back to go forward. You do not know how to live today unless you know what happened yesterday. As Winston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” The Bible agrees with this statement:
King Solomon said the race has always been the same: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
The Apostle Paul said that every hurdle that we come across in the faith race has been faced by others: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition … There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful…” (I Cor. 10:11-13)
Because of the “witnesses,” that have gone on before us, we should read, pray, and study over their record found in Scripture. We must teach their stories to our children and preach their testimonies in our churches. By doing this, we will have an opportunity to stand on the shoulders of the giants. If we do this, we will know how to run the faith race, and if for some reason we get off the path, we will know where to get back on. Praise the Lord for our “witnesses!”