*These last 3
weeks will all be 5-day weeks. Day 6 will be time for reflection and
review. If you would be interested
in sharing personal reflections or things God has shown or taught you through
the year for these extra days, please email me at ejmushlock@gmail.com .
Hebrews 11-13
*Click here to read this passage:
Reading through the Bible in a year requires reading larger chunks
of scripture rather than just a chapter or a few verses at a time. There is definitely a place for
studying the Bible in smaller doses and focusing in on a little at a time. Today, however, I’m thankful for the
bigger section of scripture at one time because something became new to me
within these chapters today.
I’ve read the “hall of faith” chapter before (Hebrews 11) where
the writer of Hebrews takes you down a journey of remembering those heroes of
the faith. Example after example
of faith lived out in different individuals. It reminds us of the choices these people made were based on
their belief in God. “Now faith is
being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (11:1)
What was new to me today that really brought it all together for
me was the beginning of chapter 12.
It says, “Therefore” (… which means – because of everything I just said –) “since we are surrounded by
such a great cloud of witnesses” (since
we have all these incredible examples of lives of faith) 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”
In all the examples given in chapter 11 of those men and women and
what they did “by faith,” they all had struggles. There was persecution, pain, waiting, uncertainty, isolation
… but they kept the faith, they kept their eyes on God, and they
persevered.
How do we persevere?
“by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects
our faith. Because of the joy
awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Think of all the hostility he endured
from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” (12:2a,3)
Hebrews was written to Messianic Jews – those Jewish men and women
who had become followers of Jesus.
They were struggling and some were even turning from the faith because
of persecution as well as isolation from their families, friends, and
communities. Whatever we’re having
to endure the answer is to keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the ultimate example for us.
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