A Great Cloud of Witnesses

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

“Surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…let us run with perseverance….” I am the daughter of a marathon runner. My dad started running marathons when I was older, so our family was able to go to his races and cheer for him. The course for the marathons made it possible for us to pick a spot where we’d see him several times in his race, and again at the end. As the runners came by, the “great cloud of witnesses” began to cheer for those they knew in the race.

The cheering was not just a nice round of clapping and a small exclamation of excitement, though. It was more of a thunderous roar, cheering on the runners as they came around the bend. You could feel the excitement in the air, you could hear it in the cheering, and you could see it on the faces, all helping to cheer the runners on to their ultimate goal of completing the grueling miles that lay before them. Cheering at the marathon was also exciting because we had no idea what we would see. Some people ran by with ease, others struggled. Others who had spent some time walking would kick it up a notch and muster strength from within to run as they passed a large cheering section – and the cheers would grow even louder as we realized that they were summoning up all their courage and bravery to keep going. Toward the end of the race, some of the runners passed us with obvious injuries – battered from the course they had run.

The passage above is from Hebrews 12, and God has brought it across my path many times in the past few weeks. I wondered about the great cloud of witnesses that are mentioned in the first verse. I pulled out my study Bible and read the notes that go along with chapter 12. The notes suggest that the great cloud of witnesses refer to the people who are noted for their great faith in Hebrews 11. These are people who are examples for us in our faith. I’ve heard and read that many times before, but today it took on new meaning.

“Let us throw off everything that hinders….” Marathon runners carry as little as possible with them when they run. It’s one thing to run a couple of miles holding a water bottle or carrying a snack, but to have to run the grueling race with extras would really wear them down. In a marathon there are stops along the way – water, sports drinks, protein bars. You can’t carry it all with you – it becomes too cumbersome. The same is true in life. We can’t take it all with us. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, we can trust that He will provide what we need. Don’t get wrapped up in things that may take our focus off of the race He’s called us to run.

“Let us run with perseverance…fixing our eyes on Jesus….” To me, this indicates that our race isn’t necessarily going to be an easy one. There will be things in life that will try to distract us; there will be times that it all seems too hard. But when we persevere, and when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can make it. Those who have gone before have given us the evidence of their faith – a faith that saw them through some tough situations, and ultimately to Jesus.

Today as I was praying for our friends in small group, this all came together for me. As I was considering our friends, this passage in Hebrews 12, and some points from this week’s sermon on being bold, I realized that I want to be someone who is cheering for my friends on the marathon journey God has placed before them. I don’t just want to give a small cheer for them when I see them and then send them on their way again, though. I want to be part of the thunderous applause they hear, regularly, as they run their race. I want to be encouraging them to stay on their marathon course – not to be distracted by anything that might take them off their course. More than just cheering for them, though, I want to be a strong example so that they can see my faith in God.

I am here, cheering for you, as well. My goal is not to give you a pat on the back and send you on your way. Rather, I want the Jesus in me to be loud in your life! I want to see you stay on the course, throw off all that hinders, run with perseverance! I trust that as God has made this little corner of the world available for my thoughts and the outpouring of my heart, that He will provide encouragement for you on your race in life.

Where are you today, on your marathon journey to Jesus?

Are you just starting out, feeling excited and ready to run? Are you part way into the race, looking for nourishment and refreshment? Are you tired, and feeling like you need a break? Are you near the end? Can you feel the great cloud of witnesses even more as you draw near to the heavenly gates? Keep those eyes fixed – on Jesus only – and keep going today!

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