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Hebrews 12:2 - In Good Company Running With Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) 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 has sat down at the right 
hand of the throne of God.  

COMMENTARY PEARLS

   Have you ever been worried and 
discouraged in your soul? Maybe youre feeling that 
way today. Perhaps youre discouraged or 
spiritually lethargic, and you need a jump start. 
Youre wondering how to get back on track. 
   In Hebrews 12, we read, Therefore we 
also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud 
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, 
and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let 
us run with endurance the race that is set 
before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and 
finisher of our faith (verses 1"2 NKJV). 
   This chapter begins with the word, 
therefore. And what comes before Hebrews 12? Hebrews 
11, of course, which has been called the Hall of 
Faith. Its where we read of all the great men 
and women of God who persevered despite 
overwhelming circumstances and massive obstacles. They 
lived their lives by faith. 
   In light of Hebrews 11, since were 
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lets 
run this race with endurance. Im not 
naturally an athletic person, but in this race, we all 
must be athletic, so to speak. We must all be 
very committed. 
   Its also great to have an example to 
follow. The men and women of Hebrews 11 were amazing 
people. They opposed Pharaoh and passed through the 
Red Sea on dry land. They shouted down the walls 
of Jericho and shut the mouths of lions. And 
they called down fire and also walked through 
fire. 
   So the author of Hebrews is effectively 
saying, Look, they did it! In light of that, you 
can do it, too. We should run our race well, 
knowing were in good company. 
   Most importantly, we should run our race, 
looking to Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him, and that 
will keep you going in the race of life. [By Greg 
Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

   Discouraging things can happen when you 
follow Jesus. Life doesnt always go the way you 
hoped it would go. Tragedies befall you. People 
let you down. You ask questions that go 
unanswered, and sometimes you wonder if you can keep 
going. 
   But whom did you sign up to follow? I 
signed up, if you will, to follow Jesus. Jesus 
always has been what He promised to be for me. 
Hes never failed me once. Hes never let me 
down. And Hes the author and finisher of my 
faith, which means that God finishes what He 
starts. 
   He started a work in your life, and He 
wants to continue it. But for that to happen, you 
need to keep your eyes on Jesus, who ran His race 
for you. 
   He had His back ripped open by a Roman 
whip when He was lashed 39 times. After that, He 
picked up a huge cross and carried it through the 
streets of Jerusalem. Then they nailed His hands and 
feet to that cross, and He hung there. 
   The people cried out in unison, 
Crucify Him! His own disciples were largely in 
hiding. One of His own handpicked friends, Judas 
Iscariot, betrayed Him. 
   How easily Jesus could have said, 
Im done here, people. No one apparently 
understands why Ive come to this world and what Im 
about to do, so Im not going to do it. And 
He would have been justified. 
   So why did Jesus do it? What kept Him 
going? Hebrews 12:2 gives us the answer: Because 
of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, 
disregarding its shame (NLT). 
   What was the joy awaiting Him? It was you 
and me. He knew what His death and resurrection 
would accomplish, and that was the joy that kept 
Him going. 
   He ran His race for us. And we need to 
run our race for Him. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com re Gal. 5:7 
NLT]  

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Hebrews 12:1-3 - The Race Of Faith - Running 
With Jesus. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200507-1202.html 

Hebrews 12:1, 2: Want To Be Like Jesus? 
Spend Time With Him:  

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191124-1457.html 

Hebrews 12:1, 2: The Race of Faith is 
Looking Unto Jesus!:  

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170928-0839.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio (currently live): 
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657