Run With Endurance Let You Into Heaven

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was 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)

Athletic metaphors abound throughout Scripture. The parallels between sports and daily life are too clear to be overlooked. In the above text there are many similarities. Consider just one: “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus….”

As different athletes specialize in an event, so we each have a distinct competition. There are many different races affording different challenges.

In addition to the various races we as individuals have there is one for all.

We are all to be distance runners. In ancient Greece the cursus publicus was the state mandated and supervised courier and transportation runner. They could run for days. Among the Aztecs in America were the Tarahumara, also known as the Rarámuri, which roughly translates as “foot runners.” They were known to run as much as 600 miles, both as recreation runners and as messengers.

The race for sum, that is length of life, for all of us varies. Resolve to run well and finish strong.

We are encouraged to be “looking unto Jesus.” Most distance races have a pacesetter, called a rabbit, who determines the pace at certain intervals. 

Most people have a “rabbit,” be it Jesus or some other standard barrier. Such a one becomes one’s idol to be modeled. Select your rabbit with care knowing where he is going.

One old timer advised a younger person, “Be careful who you identify with, because if they falter or fail you will be identified with the failure.”

Even Jesus had a motivating factor. He is spoken of as He “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.”

His eyes were not on the cross. He looked beyond it to the joy it made possible. The joy He experienced because of the cross motivated Him. It was joy found in the completion of His earthly mission in opening the portal of heaven to whosoever would accept His invitation.

As you look unto Him, include your aspiration to hear His “Well done.”