Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3
Some things are just meant to be taken in a larger context. Sure, The Dark Knight and The Bourne Ultimatum are awesome movies on their own; but you get a lot more when you view (or at least consider) each as part of its respective trilogy. The same could be said for individual episodes of LOST, books in the Narnia series, and for my 2+ faithful readers (thanks, Mom and Dad), maybe even this blog post.
Unfortunately, I think we often fail to respect this principle, and one instance of this is the reading of Hebrews 12:1-3.
Hebrews 12:1-3 is the crescendo and culmination of Hebrews 11. Chapter 11 shows us pictures of the kind of faith that endures suffering rather than shrinking back to destruction.
But as inspiring as are the stories of Abraham, Sarah, and countless others, at the end of chapter 11 we still haven't seen the greatest picture of persevering faith: Jesus.
And so here in 12 we're exhorted to fix our eyes on Him. Just as the Old Testament heroes kept their eyes on the promise, so should we. But our promise is not just an inheritance or a deliverance--it's a Person.
So, when we face suffering and hardship, we should set our eyes on the right thing, just like the heroes of old did. For us, that thing is the ultimate Endurer... the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith.
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