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
Two young men bent on mischief entered a Moncton bar and befriended a man who seemed to have plenty of money. They persuaded the man to drive them to Sussex. Shortly after the trip began, the two overpowered their victim, tied him up and tossed him in the trunk of the car. When they reached Penobsquis, they pulled into a gravel pit and pulled their victim from the truck. They beat him to death, stole his wallet and watch, and continued on their way. When they arrived in St. Stephen, they ditched the car, disposed of their bloody clothes in a dumpster, and crossed the border into Maine by foot. Police quickly caught up with them and returned them to face trial in Saint John. As I sat during the trial, I was impressed at the skillful way in which police and prosecutors assembled the evidence and a large number of witnesses. The overwhelming case against the men was so powerful their only defence was to accuse each other of the murder. The jury believed neither and sent them to prison for life. The case was determined on the basis of a great cloud of witnesses. So is the case for you and me to run successfully in the race that is set before us as Christians.
Who are the cloud of witnesses? The Old Testament saints mentioned and referred to in the previous chapter. They have presented their evidence, and the case is overwhelming: the God Who led all of those faith heroes to amazing exploits for Himself is still available today to give to you and me victories every day and throughout our Christian pathway. Or should that be along our Christian racecourse? The picture in our text is that of a runner preparing for a long and difficult run. Make no mistake, we are all running the race, which began the moment we first trusted Christ. Participation is not an option. But dedication to running a good race is our choice. Based on the cloud of witnesses from Hebrews 11, it is in our best interests to run a good race.
Runners in a race do not fill their pockets with tools and trinkets, nor do they wear any garment that will impede their ability to run freely. In the same way, believers will do better in our race if we dispose of everything that will hinder us from being faithful witnesses for our Lord or that would distract us from our devotion to Him. Runners in a race also don’t fill up on junk food or stay out late partying before the race. In the same way, as Christians we need to feed on the Word of God and dispose of unhealthy habits and attitudes that would prevent us from performing our best as Christians. There are many parallels we could draw between a marathon race and our Christian race. And they all serve to encourage us to prepare well to run well.
The evidence is in; we can be victorious in the race we are running. Let us run well. – Jim MacIntosh