Based on a series of sermons preached in PCC Prayer Meetings in 2023-2024
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, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God
Hebrews 12:1-2
Life can be tough. Even Christians are not spared, though some of us have it easier than others. But perhaps you are amongst those who feel you are being hard-pressed, drowned and choked by everything happening around you. You are struggling with your studies and failed your exams; you suffered a painful break-up after a tumultuous year; your marriage has become hell on earth; you lost a job and can’t get another; you are troubled by numerous health issues one after another; your business is floundering, and your creditors are chasing you; your house got broken into while you were away on vacation and everything is left in a mess; your parents are making unreasonable demands upon you; your son who used to love the Lord has become a bitter agnostic and refuses to come to church with you; you are depressed.
How can you find any encouragement or help as you sink into the mire?
Let’s consider briefly the word of counsel that the apostle to the Hebrews gives them to strengthen their faith amid the tremendous pressure weighing upon them. They are, you may remember, suffering persecution by the Romans and mockery by the Jews just because they are Christians. They are suffering because of their faith in Christ. The apostle writes an entire epistle to encourage them not to give up. But what is the one-word summary of his exhortation? It is ‘Jesus!’ or, more to the point: “Look unto Jesus!” What does it mean to look unto Jesus? The apostle says:
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, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
What does it mean to look unto Jesus? Let’s consider three thoughts from this majestic statement. First, looking unto Jesus involves laying aside every weight and sin.
1. Laying Aside Every Weight and Sin
This is the first thing we are urged to do as we are called to look unto Jesus. Why is it important to do so? It is crucial because life is like an agonising race. The ancient athlete must strip off everything that hinders him from running well, so we must do the same. What the athlete strips off may weigh him down or restrict his movement. What we must strip off and cast aside are weights and the sin that keep us from finishing our race with confidence and joy.
What are these weights? What is the sin? Any needless activity that distracts you from Christ is a weight. Any thought that crowds out your focus on Christ is a weight. Shut them out or cast them at the feet of Christ. The sin is the thought of giving up. Any desire to give up and any hard thoughts against God are sinful and must be repented. Likewise, any sin that may tempt you to give up following Him: a worldly attitude, pride, self-sufficiency, lust of control, or conversely despair, must be confessed to Christ and repented.
Only when you lay aside these weights and sins will you be able to look unto Jesus.
2. Having Your Eyes Fixed on Jesus
The ancient athlete must keep his eyes on the finishing line and the prize he would receive if he were to run well. The apostle does not exhort us to look at the finishing line, but rather on Jesus. Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our race of faith. He is the meaning, the purpose of our race. He is the reason why we want to run well. Therefore, if your eyes of faith are not fixed on him, you cannot run as you should.
I think of a recent experience while snorkelling near the shore in East Malaysia. The area where we were snorkelling was cordoned off, so it was pretty safe, apart from the sea urchins and perhaps a few aggressive fishes. The water was crystal clear, and everything was beautiful. We have a wonderful Creator.
After snorkelling for some time, I decided to snorkel my way back to my wife. So I located where my wife was, then put my head underwater and swam in the general direction. I knew that after some distance, I would cross the first barrier before reaching the beach. Well, I swam on with my head underwater, enjoying the underwater life. Then I hit the rope barrier. I lifted up the rope and continued coasting along without taking my eyes off the seabed. I was amazed at how beautiful that section of the seascape became. But suddenly I heard people shouting above. I stuck my head out of the water and realised I was near the jetty, entirely outside the cordoned area. With so many boats coming in and out at the jetty, it was a dangerous place to swim. I had gone completely off-course without realising. That would not have happened had I kept my eyes on my wife instead of the seabed!
And so it is in our Christian race. We can be ever so confident that we are running in the right direction, but if we take our eyes off the Lord, we shall be in danger of veering far off course without even realising it. Then we shall make shipwreck of our faith!
So, fix your eyes on Christ rather than on yourself and your problems.
But finally, looking unto Jesus also means knowing that Jesus knows your trials.
3. Knowing that Jesus Knows Your Trial
What does it mean to look at Jesus? Surely, the apostle does not mean to say that we are to see where he is and run towards Him. No, no; to look at Jesus is to be encouraged by who He is and what He has done for us and shall do for us.
Therefore, look to Him and remember that He knows everything about your race and the particular trial you may experience at every juncture. This must be so because He is the author and finisher of your faith. He is the one who determines the course you must run. He marked out the route. He started you off, and He is seeing to it that you will finish the race. He is watching you from on high. And not only so, He has, as it were, finished the race himself. He has endured all the hardships and humiliation associated with it.
Whatever trial you may have to endure, He endured something worse: He endured the cross of Calvary. He faced not only the wrath of man and the pains of this present life, but the wrath of God on behalf of His people. Having finished His race, He is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He is there, not only to be the umpire of our races, but to support us by interceding for us.
Look to Him, therefore, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. He knows, and He understands what you are going through. He is ready and able to help.
Fix your eyes on Him for direction and guidance, for comfort and strength, and for assurance and hope to the end.
Conclusion
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, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God
Heb 13:1-2
We don’t have time to expound these words fully in this short devotion. However, I trust that we find some encouragement to turn our focus away from the things that do not ultimately help us to Him who alone can help us. Turn your eyes to the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom you shall find all that you need to run on with confidence, joy and hope unto the end despite all the difficulties you may face. Amen.
—JJ Lim