QT 8/4/2026 Heb 12:1–3, The focus needs to be on Jesus and persevering in faith in him

Hebrews 12:1–3 (ESV) —

1 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.

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

 

NOTE: I love chiastic structures which are a very Jewish way of organizing passages and books. The structure builds up to a point and then comes back down in the same way it built up to the point. So, in the case below, A and A' are equivalent, and B and B', and so on. The thrust of the these verses is the E in the chiastic outline, JESUS.

 

      “Therefore we,

      [A] having seated around about us such a cloud of witnesses,

         [B] setting aside every weight and every clinging sin …

           [C] with patient endurance …

             [D] let us run the race that is set before us

               [E] keeping our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of the faith,

             [D’] who for the joy that was set before Him …

           [C’] patiently endured the cross …

         [B’] despising shame …

      [A’] and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”707

 

707 Estella B. Horning, “Chiasmus, Creedal Structure, and Christology in Hebrews 12:1-2,” Biblical Research 23 (1978):41.

 

While the passage starts out with "we," it is not about us but about Jesus. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. He is our example. His life is our pattern. His will is our desire.

 

The great cloud of witnesses are in chapter 11. There are many more than mentioned in chapter 11, he alludes to that fact in verse 11:32, "And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of …."

 

The message is that none really received what was promised, but they persevered in faith. It is easy to grow weary and fainthearted when you are in a situation that does not seem to end. Don't give up. Trust God, never stop trusting God.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I persevering in my trial?
2. Do I trust that God knows my situation? And that he loves me immensely?

 

PRAYER: Father, someday all things will make sense, but today, life can really hurt. I pray for you to work in the lives of those who are struggling to let them see a glimpse of your love in these hard days.