Hebrews 11 is sometimes referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame” chapter. Some of the concluding verses 32 - 38a describe events encountered by men and women of “whom this world was (is) not worthy”. But notice this difference, if you will. Verses 32 - 35 describe miraculous celebratory events. Verses 36 - 37, however, describe dark, sinister events of suffering we cannot fully comprehend. We do not get to choose our scenarios. Mountains or valleys. God decides. God leads. Our commitment is to follow. Being faithful is a third manner in which we “earn” the sacrifice of Jesus, but also the sacrifices of those who populate the “great cloud of witnesses”. Heb. 11, naturally leads to Heb. 12 which immediately teaches us our proper life-response to such exemplary faith lives lived before us. 1. 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Fix your eyes on Jesus...surrounded by a great cloud of “testimonies”....so that we do not grow weary and lose heart. Every Christian suffering in a hidden North Korean labor camp, every brother or sister stabbed, beaten or killed in Muslim territories, every school-child bullied for living by Biblical principles, every Jewish Christian ostracized by her family, every martyr past and present is one of whom this world is not worthy. But they are very, very worthy of our respect and imitation. Recapture the truth of this statement by martyred missionary Jim Elliot. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose” 1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Earn This. Just sayin’.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:50:40 +0000
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