“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.” (Hebrews 12:1-2a)

Many times we find inspiration from those who have lived before us. Reading biographies can uplift our spirit and aid us as encouragement to live life. While the Scripture has many such stories through its pages, the writer of the book of Hebrews, give us many people who have gone before us that can inspire and encourage us. This chapter in Scripture has been called the Hall of Faith. This is because all of those listed have lived their lives by faith in God. They all faced many and difficulty challenges in life. Their faith in God gave them the strength and what they needed to go through these challenges and difficulties. This is because we must have faith to truly live and please God. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

However, they did not fully receive what their faith promised until the coming of Jesus. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40) Their faith was in God’s promise. Jesus Christ fulfills that promise for them and for us. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29) We are to live our lives of faith founded upon Jesus Christ and a commitment to follow Him.

As we live our life of faith we are now surrounded by those who have gone before. The challenge of their lives and faith helps us to focus on following Jesus Christ through our world filled with temptations, distractions, rebellion, and apathy toward God. In this world we are to “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 12:1b-2) Those who have come before looked for the hope that is Jesus Christ. We live with this hope dwelling in us and He will lead us through life. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) He can show us the way to overcome our own sin because He navigated this life without sin. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16) Jesus will also teach us how to be obedient and how to follow Him living a life that pleases God. He and the Father have given us the Holy Spirit to remind us of His directions in our lives that we may follow Him.  

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14:16-20)

Jesus in us and all the cloud of witnesses are showing us how to follow Him as we live this life walking with the Living Word, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block