Hebrews 12:1-2 "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, 2 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."
What I have gained from these verses this morning is very rich. Those who have gone before me- Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Barak- have set an impeccable standard of faith. Because they have gone before me, I also must strip away those things that will keep me from living at the level of faith that they did. The reason being is that there is a race set before me in which I must, by necessity, run. However, as great as those who went before me where, I am not commanded to fix my eyes upon them. I am, however, told to turn all my attention, interrupted, to Jesus. He is the one who is the Founder of my faith, and the Perfecter- the one who will bring my faith to a successful conclusion! Therefore, He is the source of my endurance. I have the promise that Christ himself will bring my faith to a successful conclusion! Why? Because He Himself successfully completed the will of the Father.
It was for the joy that was set before Him that He endured the cross. The Greek text gives the idea that there was a greater plain of existence in the realm of joy that awaited Him. It was laid before Him. There is also for me, a greater plain of existence in the eternal state- a greater joy to come. Because there is this greater plain of existence to come- the eternal kingdom in which the author has been talking about in the previous chapter- I need to live for that joy. This life is a vapor, and the pleasures found here are fleeting and disappearing. They will not last. Therefore, I must do as Jesus did- live for the plain of existence in the realm of the joy that is soon coming. That realm of joy is eternal, and far exceeds any temporal pain and persecution that I MUST go through. For this life is preparation for eternity. This life is the valley that I must walk through in order to reach the mountain of joy. This valley is what God uses to perfect me and to build up treasures for me in the eternal state.
There is only a certain amount of time left in this life. Therefore, in the time that remains, I must live for the eternal existence that will soon be here. All the persecutions, all the heartache, pain, vile words, oppression, discouragement- it will all cease. Yet the joy that is to come will never stop! It is an unending, everlasting state of super abounding joy- a plain of existence now foreign to us, yet not out of reach! This is why it is so important not to falter or fall in times of difficulty. They will not last, but the one who does the will of the Father will abide forever! And his reward? Unending joy in the presence of his King!
Here is a poem I wrote to go along with this entry:
I have found hope in your truth today,
the stench of discouragement you are washing away.
A spirit of mourning you have poured out on my head,
a broken heart accompanies me at night in my bed.
My sorrow stemmed from the wickedness all around,
vile words, apathy, and lies that abound.
Why do you bear with the foolishness of men?
When will you rise up and judge them with your hand?
Indeed I know all things are happening as they should,
and you will soon use this evil for good!
So I take up my cross, in my eye there's a gleam,
determination, perseverance, as I pick up that beam.
No sissy Christianity, no time to whine,
with scars on my heart, it 's gut check time!
So I'll press on with your joy in my heart
until this wicked, corrupt world I depart.
I'll bear with the vapor that you have called man,
for they are but dust, the work of Your hand.
The day of judgment will humble them all,
it will silence their mouths, on their knees they do fall!
But as for me, I rejoice in all of Your might,
it's your truth that has caused me to walk in the light.
So here is my body, my life, my all,
a ball of depravity You ransomed from the fall!
A sin loving sinner you elected in grace,
removing the veil so I can see Your face!
Here I am Jesus, I take up my cross,
counting all things in this world as loss!