Hebrews 12:1

by | Jan 20, 2022 | Articles, Testimonies

Let’s take a moment to walk thru Hebrews 12:1.   This verse divides itself into six simple parts. The first part is “Therefore.”  Of course, we must ask what is therefore, there for? This is leading us from the previous verse, and probably Chapter 11, which emphasizes faith.  You could also say this references the entire previous part of the book of Hebrews.  Hebrews is the “Christ is better than book.”  He is better than angels, Moses, Melchizedek, and the Aaronic priesthood, and more.  It is about the power of Jesus and appeals to the converted Jew. The second part is “since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us.”  The literal meaning of witnesses surrounding us is “martyrs lying around.”   The men and women described in chapter 11 lived out their faith.  They committed before they would know what would transpire.  Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Sampson, David, and Samuel trusted God facing significant trials and even death. God delivers believers either from trials or thru them. This concept of these heroes of the faith “lying around us” should encourage us to stay in the race. The idea of these men and women observing us from heaven is not evident in Scripture, but their example and many others that have gone before us, should encourage us to stay the course.  The believer must trust God in trials knowing He has purpose in it.  Have you considered others in your personal hall of faith? The third part is “let us also lay aside every encumbrance.”  This literally means to cast off...