Lesson Text: “Hebrews 12:1-17
Related Scriptures: Philippians 3:7—4:1, Hebrews 5:7-9, Isaiah 35:1-8; James 3:13-18; Genesis 25:29-34; 27:36-38
Place: Unknown
Time: between: 60 and 69 A.D.
Golden Text: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)
Life is extremely hard. Everyone has faced a trial here and there. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, illness, the ridicule of our friends, neighbors or co-workers. When these trials arise, it can be tempting to turn and seek pleasures of the world to numb our pain and calm our fears sustain us, if you will. But in the book of Hebrews 12:1-17, the Bible teaches that these moments call for endurance, which results in a life of discipline and holiness. Amen! The life of faith has been attested by this great cloud of Old Testament witnesses. Hence believers ought to run with perseverance the race marked out in their Christian lives, setting aside whatever hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (“ambushes or encircles”). Their supreme Model for this continued to be Jesus, however admirable any Old Testament figure might be. He is both the Author and Perfecter of our faith. It suggests to me that Jesus is the pioneer of our way of faith since He reached its end successfully. He kept His eye on the joy set before Him, the “joy” alluded to in 1:9 wherein He obtained an eternal throne. The believers’ share in that joy must also be kept in view. After enduring the cross and scorning its shame, Jesus assumed that triumphant position (cf. at the right hand of the throne of God which presages His and the believers’ final victory. (Hebrews 12:1-2). We also need to keep our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter (or “completer”) of our faith. After all, we started with Jesus, and, if we keep our eyes on him, he will get us through the Christian journey. Have you ever been running and felt like you wanted to quit? Then someone draws alongside you and encourages you to keep going, enabling you to go farther than you could have managed by yourself. When this happens, it shifts the focus from your pain to the person helping you, and you get a second wind. Similarly, if you keep your attention on him, Jesus will enable you to persevere through your development and reach your destiny. To experience spiritual victory in our Christian race, our lives must be focused on an intimate relationship with Jesus. How did Jesus Himself reach the finish line? For the joy that lay before him, He endured the cross, despising the shame. The joy would come on Sunday, but the shame had to be endured on Friday. The Son of God made it through Friday by keeping his eyes on Sunday. We need no better example. When he ascended back to the Father in heaven, he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (12:2). Regardless of the suffering and trials you’re facing, know that resurrection day is coming. The author wants his readers to do what Jesus did so that [they] won’t grow weary and give up (12:2-3). In Hebrews 6:4-7, “He also reminds them of two things. First, they had not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed (12:4)—that is, they had experienced significant difficulties, but they were still living. And if you’re still here, God isn’t finished with you! Second, they had forgotten the exhortation that addresses [them] as sons (12:5). In 12:5–6 the author quotes from Proverbs 3:11–12 and encourages them to endure suffering as discipline because God is treating them as sons (Hebrews 12:7). Discipline includes both positive and negative repercussions, instruction and correction. Parents are to instruct their children and train them to live with wisdom (see Prov 1:7–9). But when a child is disobedient, a loving father also disciplines him. Whether through instruction or correction, the end goal is the child’s development. If a good parent takes this matter seriously, how much more does God? God is a perfect parent who disciplines Hid children perfectly. (Hebrews 12:4-7). If you are without discipline, all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Illegitimate children in ancient Rome had no rights and could not be beneficiaries of an inheritance. “Which all receive” could be translated “of which all are partakers.” The Greek term for “partaker” is the same word we saw earlier meaning “companion” or “partner”. Thus, the author is reminding them that if they want to be Christ’s special “companions/partners/partakers” and receive the inheritance—His kingdom blessings in history and eternity—they must be willing to submit to His fatherly discipline and grow. (Hebrews 12:8, The Tony Evans Commentary). In Hebrews 12:9-13, the Word of God makes mention of the following, “
Godly fathers discipline their children as best they can, but our heavenly Father always disciplines us perfectly and for our good (12:9–10). No discipline appears enjoyable at the time, but painful. So don’t expect otherwise! Few children enjoy being disciplined or thank their parents for it afterwards. But if you will humbly receive God’s fatherly discipline, you will grow in holiness and righteousness (12:10–11). God wants you to be trained by it (12:11) so you can experience your relationship with him at another level. If your hands are tired and your knees are buckling, don’t give up—keep walking the straight and narrow (12:12–13). As with any kind of training, regular submission to godly discipline leads to increased strength and righteousness. We are exhorted to the author exhorts them to pursue peace and holiness, that is, their sanctification (12:14). Keep striving for your spiritual development. And beware of any root of bitterness in your life (12:15). When you’re experiencing troublesome circumstances, you’re in danger of resenting what God is doing in your life. But resentment will only serve to compound the problems. (Hebrews 12:14-15). Finally, in Hebrews 12:16-17, “The author not only points to positive examples to emulate (the Old Testament saints in chapter 11 and Jesus in 12:2–3) but also to negative examples to avoid. Don’t yield to pleasure like Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup (12:16). Though he regretted it later, it was too late. He had forfeited his inheritance (12:17). God has blessings in store for you, an inheritance. Don’t be like Esau and foolishly throw away your reward for fleeting, temporal gratification. Be Blessed Saints! Amen!
