Daily Bread: Fix Our Eyes On Jesus

😇 Shalom to all
God’s word today:

“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, 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.”
‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

This passage draws from the rich imagery of the footraces of ancient amphitheaters of Greece and Rome. It was written to encourage and challenge believers to persevere in their faith, especially in the midst of trials and persecution.

Athletes in a race were surrounded by rows and rows of spectators, pictured for us as “the witnesses” of the believers listed in the chapter 11 of Hebrews: the men and women of God whose faithful lives were recorded in the Old Testament. These saints persevered despite unimaginable oppression and cruelty and were commended for their faithfulness.

The “race,” then, is the Christian life. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we are called to stay the course and remain faithful to the end. The “race” demands that we do away with “everything that hinders”—sin and whatever else threatens our relationship with God. Anything that will slow us down or trip up us must be cast off. Seeing that the “race” God set out for us is a lifelong marathon, we must commit ourselves to run to the very end.

Dear Lord, help me to finish the race of life You have set for me. No matter how long the race may be, help me to keep my eyes on Jesus my Savior. Amen.

Bless you
ps caleblusi