Hebrews 12:1-4 — The Ultimate Hero!

READ THIS: Hebrews 12:1-4

1 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, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

For what seems like eternity, we have been learning about the different heroes of the faith. That's what all of Hebrews 11 was about! In these verses, the author points out that we have such great examples who can encourage us to be more like them! We can be people who cling to our faith in hard times and who choose God instead of sin. 

But, beyond all of those heroes of faith, our best example is Jesus! He is the most faithful, and He actively went through terrible things that He didn't have to because He had faith that what God called Him to do was worth the pain. For us, when we have a hard time doing what God calls us to do, we can think about Jesus, and the other heroes of the faith, and know that others were bold enough to do it....so we can, too!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Out of all the heroes of the faith (not counting Jesus), whose story encourages you the most to be faithful?
 
2. Why is Jesus the "pioneer and perfecter" of faith? What does that mean?

TRY THIS:

When you have a hard thing to do today, think about Jesus and/or your answer to number 1! Think about what they would do!

SONG OF THE WEEK:
 
We can be like these heroes of the faith and join them in their journeys of faith! Think about that as you listen to this song.




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