Surrounded By Witnesses

Today's full reading: Hebrews 11:32-12:13

"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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV)

The writer of Hebrews knows how to arrest the attention of his readers. He knows his audience; these are people who have studied and memorized much of the known history of their nation. Following the incredible account of faithful men and women described in chapter eleven as those whom the world was not worthy of, he concludes with a powerful exhortation to throw off the sin that trips us up, fix our eyes of Jesus, and run the Christian race.

Today, as an act of worship, heed these words carefully. What sin or habit do you need to throw off give up? When was the last time you fixed your eyes of Jesus? Ask yourself, "What WOULD Jesus do?", "What did Jesus do?"

Run the race!

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)