40 Days of Faith: Day 40

Hebrews 11:39-40 – And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Former NFL quarterback and Dallas Theological Seminary Professor Dr. David Klinger answered this question posed of him, very succinctly. The question was, “How were the people of the Old Testament saved?” His answer was simple: “They placed their faith in the one who was to come. We have placed our faith in the one who came.”

The entire theme of the book of Hebrews is the supremacy of Jesus Christ and how He is better. These in the hall of faith are now the ones surrounding us as the cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12:1-2 states:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Remember, friends, when we see the word “therefore” in the Bible, we need to ask, “What’s that therefore, there for?” The writer is saying, “Now that you have all of that information about the people of faith in chapter 11, live this way…” It is a call to make application in light of the information that you now possess.

These in chapter 11 make up the great cloud of witnesses. They have run their race, even though they hadn’t yet received their reward. Now, it’s time for us to run our race. They looked ahead to the One who was coming and to the city whose architect and builder is the Lord. They endured suffering, hardship, and persecution. They were challenged, tested, and it took all that they had. And they were faithful.

On the other side of the cross, we are to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. We are to see what he endured and know it was worth it, because something better was coming. It was so much better that, “…for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…”

What is this joy? I believe it was the eternal throne, seated at the right hand of the Father. It is here in Hebrews 12 that it is noted that Jesus “…is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” This is the fourth time in Hebrews this is stated. This enthronement signifies victory. One writer says, “Jesus assumed that triumphant position at the right hand of the throne of God (cf. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12) which presages His and the believers’ final victory (cf. 1:13–14).”[1]

It is this coming victory that we long for and press on toward. As a result, we are to throw off all sin that entangles us and run with perseverance and endurance the race marked out for us.

In 1968, the Summer Olympics were held in Mexico City. During the marathon, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania fell badly, dislocating his knee and injuring his shoulder. Most athletes would have quit. He was hurt, in last place, and limping badly. In fact, doctors urged him to stop running. But Akhwari pressed on. Hours after the winner had crossed the finish line and the stadium lights were being shut off, he hobbled into the arena. Only a few thousand spectators remained, but they watched in awe as he painfully limped the last lap.
When asked later why he didn’t just quit, he said something unforgettable:
“My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish it.”[2]

 That’s the picture of Hebrews 12:1. Runners in the ancient world would literally strip off their outer garments so nothing would weigh them down. No distractions. No extra weight. No unnecessary baggage. Just the race.

 In our walk with Christ, faith calls us to lay aside anything that slows us down — habits, hidden sins, fears, doubts, even good things that have become distractions. Why should we do this? Because we are called to finish. Like Akhwari, we don’t run just to start the race of faith — we run to finish it faithfully, with endurance, with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

 What weight are you carrying today that is slowing down your race of faith? Is there a habit, fear, or hidden sin that clings too closely? Lay it down at the feet of Jesus. Write it out, confess it, and ask God for the strength to run unhindered. Remember, Jesus is better!

 Prayer
Lord, show me the weights I am carrying that slow me down in following You. Give me the courage to lay aside sin, distractions, and anything that pulls my eyes off You. Strengthen me to run with endurance the race You have set before me, until the day I see You face to face. Amen.
 
[1] Hodges, Z. C. (1985). Hebrews. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 810). Victor Books.
[2] “John Stephen Akhwari.” Wikipedia. Last modified March 25, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stephen_Akhwari.