The Vine: May 6, 2024

This week in The Vine we have pulled selections from Hebrews 11 to more represent the context of Hebrews 12:1-3. To get the full picture, I invite you to read Hebrews 11:1-40, and Hebrews 12:1-3 before starting.

“Hebrews 11:1-4
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

Hebrews 11:17-23
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

Hebrews 11:39-40
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
”

— Hebrews 11:1-4, 17-23, 39-40, and 12:1-3

For today’s reading we had you examine several different passages out of the book of Hebrews, and the reason for that all comes from a single word that begins Hebrews 12- “therefore.” Anytime we see this word pop up it compels us to look back into what has already been recorded so we may better understand what is to come. In the case of Hebrews 12:1, “therefore” signals a reference back to the heroes of the Old Testament that faithfully followed God, and paved the way for those who were yet to come. The saints of the past paved the way for the next generation to faithfully pursue Christ.

As we examine our own walk with Christ we must realize that God has been at work before we even realize it, putting influential people and moments in our lives to steer us towards faithful discipleship. In the United Methodist Church we refer to this as prevenient grace, simply defined as “the grace that comes before.” This grace can appear in many ways and may involve a great number of people who God has placed in our lives, and who have pointed us towards him. Through the grace of God we have been equipped to fix our eyes on Jesus, faithfully run the race laid out for us.

Questions for Reflection:

In today’s reading we examined the heroes of the Old Testament who faith paved the way for the people of the New Testament. Who are some of the people who have helped point you towards God?

How did their influence help to shape your faith?

Whose faith are you helping to influence in a positive way?

What does fixing our eyes on Jesus mean and how do we apply it to our lives today?

prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the ways you go before us, working to draw us closer to you. As we run our race we pray for the endurance and strength to persevere through trials. Help us to fix our eyes upon Jesus and help others to do the same. Help us to never lose heart, but instead, may our lives be a testimony to your grace and love.

In your son’s name we pray, amen.

Taylor

PRINT FRIENDLY VERSiON