Keep On Keeping On! – PART 4

Keep On Keeping On! (Hebrews 12:1-3) – PART 4

III. The Pursuit of Our Race (Hebrews 12:2)
Hebrews 12:2, “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.” We are not in this race of life to win a temporary and corruptible prize like a gold medal. We run for something far more valuable and permanent. The prize of our race is Jesus. We are ever running after Him.

A. We’re pursuing a Person.
Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Paul wrote that the goal of his life, the primary purpose for his race and the trials and testing he endured, was knowing Jesus. In these final days before the New Year, we should take time to reset our compass and our focus, keeping in mind that, like Paul, our goal is Jesus. Many people measure the success of a year by the type of talent or technology they can acquire, or the amount of wealth or education they can accrue. Success by the world’s definition is likely to change and shift with the times. But Jesus never changes. Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” The key to success is following, not simply admiring, Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2–3 reminds us of two specific truths about Jesus:
He endured the cross. The word endure means “to abide under; to keep going courageously.” Jesus endured the shame and pain of the cross for us (Hebrews 12:2). Although we may not face the type of persecution He did, there will be some things we must endure. James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” There will be times in this next year when it seems the battles just keep coming. When they keep coming, we must keep going.

He endured the contradiction. Jesus knew what it was to face opposition from other people. During His ministry on earth He encountered many who refused His message, mocked Him, and outright contradicted His claim that He was the Son of God. Yet, in these times, He remembered His purpose was to do His Father’s will. Psalm 69:20, “Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.” When it seems others are against us or are not supporting our purpose, we must remember that Jesus experienced the same things we do and that He’s there for us cheering us on and giving grace to finish our race for Him.

B. We’re Pursuing a Pattern.
Hebrews 12:3, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Many things in life are easier to learn and do if we are first given a pattern to follow. God knew this and He sent the perfect pattern to us, His Son. When we “consider Him,” we consider His example. Jesus, in fact, is our ultimate example. I Peter 2:21–23, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” As we “consider Him,” we also consider His endurance. Jesus endured the contradiction of sinners and the shame of the cross. He did not quit, and neither must we, not on our marriages, not on our families, and not on our God. I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Questions to Consider:

• What are your goals for the New Year?
• Do you seek to be a better father and leader of your home?
• A mother who worries less and trusts God more?
• A Christian who is faithful to read and to study God’s Word and to serve Him better in whatever capacity He’s called you?

Points to Ponder:

• Write out your personal goals and share them with someone who can keep you accountable.
• Beyond that, make the preparations now so that you can go after these goals the moment the last sun sets on this year and rises on January 1.
• Refuse to be content just floating through life in the New Year.
• Prepare now for the changes ahead and keep going for God.
• Set aside sin and run patiently, keeping the prize (Jesus Christ) ever in view.
• Keep in mind that nothing we do for Him is ever in vain.

When we reach the end of our race and see Him face to face, we’ll realize everything we’ve done and everything we’ve endured for Him was worth it all. Philippians 2:16, “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” May Christ be the theme of your heart in 2024. May you consider His will and example, and follow Him in His steps each and every one of the next 366 days (Leap Year 2024) for His glory.

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