Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) 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. (3) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (4) You have not resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

The author of Hebrews is unknown. It was written to Jewish Christians who had been exposed to persecution for their Christian faith although none had yet died for their faith. Our verses today use the metaphor of running and finishing a marathon for living the Christian life to the end. God sets the course just as He set the course of the cross for Jesus. We must run the course set before us with a certain mindset and with endurance. The encouragement and cost to keep running comes from those who have run before us but primarily from Jesus Himself. The cloud of witnesses are those who endured all sorts of trials – the thousands and thousands who have run their course and attained their crowns. We should so run that we may finish well, points to certain impediments which will hinder us. Let us lay aside every weight – all worrisome care, ambition, and selfish desire- every weight great or small, and press toward the end.

Over 20 years go I viaited Jerusalem and there was a silversmith taking orders for bracelets. My granddaughter was only 10 but she did everything with grace and love and joy – Especially running. While there I ordered a silver bracelet for her engraved in Hebrew with the phrase “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” This child qualified for the 2020 Olympic team in the first marathon she ever ran and won the bronze Olympic medal for the marathon run in Japan. Her examples of endurance, humility, character, suffering and grace have always been a beacon of graceful example to me – showing me how to run the Christian race. She has lived her life with long hills to climb and swampy marshes to plod through and endured

To run our race and finish well we must get into shape and stay in shape. We must lay aside every encumbrance – distinguished from sin not to be Intrinsically wrong – but wrong because they keep us from running God’s course for us Jesus is our main motivation to keep running. When we feel like quitting fix ourselves on Jesus: That is key to not growing weary and lose heart. If you are weary and lose heart in our Christian marathon maybe you need to cast off some encumbrances or entangling sins.. We need to focus on Jesus and the joy of receiving the crown of righteousness He has promised to all who finish the course.