October 16, 2013 (Wednesday)
There is quite a list of heroes found in the eleventh chapter of the New Testament book of Hebrews. They were “heroes of faith.” The author gives us their names and a brief word about how they demonstrated strong faith. Those listed were Abel, Enoch, and Noah. Next is Abraham, whose faith stands as an example to all who came after him, including us today. His wife, Sarah, his son, Isaac, and his grandson, Jacob, are mentioned also. Each of them lived by strong faith in God, manifested in difficult situations throughout their lives.
Jacob’s son, Joseph, showed his strong faith in the land of Egypt, followed 400 years later by Moses, who was called of God to lead a nation, made up of Jacob’s descendants, back to the land promised to Abraham many generations before. Then that great chapter of the Bible goes on to list Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and unnamed prophets, many of whom suffered greatly for their faith. The final verses of chapter 11 read like this: ” 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.”
The next words are found in chapter 12, and here they are: “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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
The word for “witnesses” does not describe an audience, but characterizes those who have already run their race. Their lives witness to us. Their examples cheer us on to do our best for Christ. When Paul neared the end of his life, he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Jesus asked his disciples one day, “Where is your faith?” What is our answer?