Running With The Holy
Stories
Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit
Series V, Cycle C
Object:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (vv. 12:1-2)
Funerals have a way of reminding us of our mortality -- not only is death in our midst, but we also gather with people that we haven't seen in years. They, of course, look older which causes us to see ourselves as older as well.
At a family funeral once, my 64-year-old father-in-law, Hal, conversed with an old acquaintance. Even though Hal walks daily to keep in shape, he was pleasantly surprised when the man commented about how good my father-in-law looked. The man said, "You're running in the Olympics, aren't you?"
Hal, who is known for his wit, quipped, "Yeah, the Special Olympics." He added, "And then I'll do the Geriatric Olympics."
Hal then shared the story of walking in a park in McKinney, Texas, a few years prior. On his walk, he saw a group of teenagers jogging toward him. Not wanting to be outdone, he decided to jog instead of walk as he approached them. When he reached the group, one of the teenagers honestly wanted to encourage my father-in-law for picking up his pace. He congratulated him by saying, "Way to go, old timer."
Needless to say, he was not encouraged. More encouraging was the man at the funeral who came across more positively. Certainly, runners need encouragement to complete their races.
The writer of the book of Hebrews offers words of encouragement for Christians. Hebrews 12:1 says, "Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." This race is a race of faith. The Hebrew people were in danger of leaving the faith because of false teachings, pagan practices, and persecution.
The Hebrew people were reminded that they had a lineage -- a cloud of witnesses that cheered them on in this faith race. These former faith champions were listed in chapter 11: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, and the prophets.
It is a reminder that we do not run the race alone. There are a host of others who ran the race before us and are now in the stands cheering us on.
Back when I was in high school, the rock band Van Halen had a hit song called "Running With The Devil." It was song that glorified decadent living and includes the line "all I've got, I had to steal." Instead of "lay(ing) aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely" as the book of Hebrews suggested, it encouraged people to bear the weight of sin.
In contrast to "Running With The Devil," the book of Hebrews says we should be "Running With The Holy." We run the race with a cloud of witnesses -- holy matriarchs and patriarchs of the Bible as well as the saints of Christian history.
We do not run the race alone. We have those saints who have completed the race cheering us on to victory. God wants you to be a champion in the faith and will help you complete the race. The goal is to be like Christ, so cast off the sin that is weighing you down and keeping you from running free. Then you can run to victory.
Funerals have a way of reminding us of our mortality -- not only is death in our midst, but we also gather with people that we haven't seen in years. They, of course, look older which causes us to see ourselves as older as well.
At a family funeral once, my 64-year-old father-in-law, Hal, conversed with an old acquaintance. Even though Hal walks daily to keep in shape, he was pleasantly surprised when the man commented about how good my father-in-law looked. The man said, "You're running in the Olympics, aren't you?"
Hal, who is known for his wit, quipped, "Yeah, the Special Olympics." He added, "And then I'll do the Geriatric Olympics."
Hal then shared the story of walking in a park in McKinney, Texas, a few years prior. On his walk, he saw a group of teenagers jogging toward him. Not wanting to be outdone, he decided to jog instead of walk as he approached them. When he reached the group, one of the teenagers honestly wanted to encourage my father-in-law for picking up his pace. He congratulated him by saying, "Way to go, old timer."
Needless to say, he was not encouraged. More encouraging was the man at the funeral who came across more positively. Certainly, runners need encouragement to complete their races.
The writer of the book of Hebrews offers words of encouragement for Christians. Hebrews 12:1 says, "Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." This race is a race of faith. The Hebrew people were in danger of leaving the faith because of false teachings, pagan practices, and persecution.
The Hebrew people were reminded that they had a lineage -- a cloud of witnesses that cheered them on in this faith race. These former faith champions were listed in chapter 11: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, and the prophets.
It is a reminder that we do not run the race alone. There are a host of others who ran the race before us and are now in the stands cheering us on.
Back when I was in high school, the rock band Van Halen had a hit song called "Running With The Devil." It was song that glorified decadent living and includes the line "all I've got, I had to steal." Instead of "lay(ing) aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely" as the book of Hebrews suggested, it encouraged people to bear the weight of sin.
In contrast to "Running With The Devil," the book of Hebrews says we should be "Running With The Holy." We run the race with a cloud of witnesses -- holy matriarchs and patriarchs of the Bible as well as the saints of Christian history.
We do not run the race alone. We have those saints who have completed the race cheering us on to victory. God wants you to be a champion in the faith and will help you complete the race. The goal is to be like Christ, so cast off the sin that is weighing you down and keeping you from running free. Then you can run to victory.
