Finishing the Marathon

A Sermon on Hebrews 12:1–2

Introduction

Last week, we launched our new sermon series, “Running the Race of Faith.” We began with Hebrews 11, but the key verses for this series are from this morning’s readings—Hebrews 12:1-2.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2).

For some time now, I have been urging us to adopt a Christocentric rather than a bibliocentric view of the Christian faith, meaning that the true center of Christianity is our crucified and risen Messiah, not a book. This change is not meant to diminish the importance of the Bible but rather to acknowledge the obvious truth. We are not biblians; we’re Christians. We’re not disciples of a book; we are followers of Jesus Christ. The book, Holy Scripture, clearly plays a significant role in the Christian faith and in shaping us as disciples. If it didn’t, one might ask what we’ve been doing in Adult Catechesis for eight years. However, the book is not Jesus himself, and it’s texts like Heb 12:2 that keep pushing me in this direction.

The Race

I’ve often described the Christian life as a journey. We are, after all, a Church on the Way. The author of Hebrews uses a different metaphor. He describes the Christian life as a race. Some races are competitive, where the goal is to win. Other races are about just finishing. Big marathons blur these lines because some runners compete to win, but for most people, the goal isn’t to win; it’s simply to finish.

If we revisit verse one for a moment, we can better understand what Paul means if we translate the last phrase like this:

Let us run with endurance the marathon that is set before us (Heb 12:1).

The aim in this marathon isn’t to win; it’s to finish. So, how do you complete this spiritual marathon we call the Christian life?

Acknowledge Those Who Came Before You

First, acknowledge those who came before you. Verse one begins:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… (Heb 12:1)

Obviously, in context, the author refers to the heroes of faith mentioned in chapter 11, but between us and the time Hebrews was written is approximately two thousand years, which means that there are now an additional two millennia of Christian saints who have run the marathon before us. Through their lives and writings, they continue to encourage us as we run. If your view of the Christian faith keeps the saints at arm’s length, I’m not sure how you interpret Heb 12:1. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses urging us to keep going, persevere, and endure—yet we often ignore them to our spiritual detriment.

Lay Aside What’s Slowing You Down

Second, how do you finish the marathon? You lay aside what’s slowing you down.

Verse one continues:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely… (Heb 12:1)

We have extensively discussed the importance of shedding our old selves. The imagery here in Heb 12 aligns with the message in Col 2–3: “You have died with Christ in baptism; therefore put to death what is earthly in you.”

We start this marathon with the best intentions. We set out on this journey fully intending to see it through to the end. But then what happens? Adam begins to hold us back. Our humanity starts to drag us down. We are trying to endure, trying to persevere, trying to put one foot in front of the other and keep going, but something is weighing us down. That something is our flesh, our old self, our Adam. If we aren’t actively in the process of laying aside or taking off (to change the imagery) all that is within us that is not of Jesus Christ, then we may stumble, and we may fall.

Look to Jesus

Lastly, how do you finish the marathon? You look to Jesus. Verse two:

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2).

I have said it before, and I will say it again: Jesus the Messiah is not only the center of the Christian faith but also the model of what it means to be a Christian. He is the one whose life we are called to imitate and reflect in this world. If we want to be his disciples and finish the race he has already run before us, we must fix our eyes on him. We need to look to him and learn from him how to walk through this life. Because in this marathon, there is only one path, one Way, that takes us from this life to the Promised Land of resurrected, eternal life — and that is the path Jesus has already walked. That path goes through the suffering of Good Friday, but it’s the only way to reach the joy of Easter Sunday.

We discussed faith last week, noting that faith is what occurs when we make decisions in the present based on the future God has promised. Jesus exemplifies that kind of faith. That is why he is called the “founder and perfecter of our faith.” The Greek word for “founder” is ἀρχηγός, meaning the one who goes before. Jesus has walked this path before us. He has shown what saving faith looks like. He has brought it to perfection in him. Now, we must fix our eyes on him and walk the same path he has walked.

Cross Now; Joy Later

We looked last week at the shift in Hebrews 11. In the great hall of heroes of the faith, some escaped the edge of the sword, and some died by the edge of the sword. There is no promise here of your best life now. There is no promise that everything will work out for you and your family now. That’s not how the Christian life works. The Christian life is eschatologically oriented; that is, it is focused on God making all things new on the last great day.

The author of Hebrews says that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him. Cross now; joy later. That’s the essence of the Christian life. Jesus didn’t say, “Take up your joy and follow me.” He said, “Take up your cross, and follow me.”

And he said this not because he delights in suffering, but because the path we are following him on is the only one that leads to eternal joy. That’s all I have to offer you: cross now; joy later. The secular world will offer you another way. Other religions will offer you another way. And, frankly, many so-called churches will offer you another way. But this path (cross now; joy later) is the only way to eternal life. This path, the one that Jesus has walked before us, is the only way to finish the marathon.

Amen.

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Life Group Guide

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss what it means to run this race of faith with endurance, we ask that you would open our hearts and minds to your truth. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. Guide our conversation today, Lord, and show each of us what you want us to learn about following the path that Jesus has already walked. May we leave this discussion with renewed commitment to run our spiritual marathon well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

Have you ever participated in or watched a marathon or long-distance race? What was that experience like?

Key Verses

1. Hebrews 12:1-2

2. Colossians 2:3

Questions

• Fr. Michael emphasizes a “Christocentric” rather than a “bibliocentric' view of Christianity. How does this perspective change how we might approach our faith?

• What does it mean to be “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses”? How might the saints who have gone before us encourage us in our faith journey?

• Fr. Michael mentions “laying aside every weight and sin which clings so closely.” What are some specific weights or sins that tend to slow you down in your spiritual marathon?

• How does Jesus serve as both the “founder and perfecter” of our faith? What does this mean for us practically?

• Fr. Michael states that the Christian life is “eschatologically oriented” rather than focused on our “best life now.” How does this future-focused perspective change how we view present difficulties?

• What does Fr. Michael mean by “Cross now, joy later”? How does this challenge popular conceptions of Christianity?

• In what ways have you been tempted to follow paths other than the one Jesus walked? What makes these alternative paths appealing?

• How might fixing our eyes on Jesus help us endure the difficult parts of our spiritual marathon?

Life Application

This week, identify one specific “weight” or sin that is slowing down your spiritual marathon. Commit to laying it aside through prayer, confession, and practical steps. Additionally, spend time each day intentionally “looking to Jesus” by reading about his life in the Gospels and reflecting on how he endured suffering with the future joy in mind. Consider writing down one way each day that you can follow his example in your specific circumstances.

Key Takeaways

• The Christian life is like a marathon where the goal is to finish, not necessarily to win or outdo others.

• We should acknowledge and learn from the “cloud of witnesses” - saints who have run the race of faith before us.

• We must intentionally lay aside the weights and sins that slow us down in our spiritual journey.

• Jesus is both the model for our faith and the one who has already walked the path before us.

• The Christian life follows the pattern of “cross now, joy later” - we endure present suffering with our eyes fixed on future resurrection and eternal life.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for being the founder and perfecter of our faith. We are grateful that you have already run this race before us, enduring the cross for the joy set before you. Help us to fix our eyes on you as we lay aside the weights and sins that so easily entangle us. Give us the strength to take up our crosses daily, knowing that the path of suffering leads to eternal joy. Surround us with your cloud of witnesses for encouragement, and grant us the endurance to finish this marathon of faith. May we follow you faithfully until we reach the finish line and hear you say, “Well done.” In your precious name we pray, Amen.