Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary God Pause - Moved by the Promise for Wednesday, 16 April 2014 - Hebrews 12:1-3

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary God Pause - Moved by the Promise for Wednesday, 16 April 2014 - Hebrews 12:1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.--World English Bible
In the middle of this Holy Week, Jesus summarizes his teaching: "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world," and then also summarizes the commandments, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another" (John 12:47; 13:34). The Epistle to the Hebrews tells us to "run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and the perfecter of our faith, who ... endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The two verses from John summarize our faith and our life, and the verses from Hebrews summarize our future with Jesus. The next few days in Jesus' life show us how it all happened, and these events define what we believe, how we live and what we hope for!
Lord Jesus, in the next days we will experience again all you have done for us. We thank you that you are for us "the way, the truth and the life." Amen.
Michael Rogness
Professor Emeritus of Preaching 
Hebrews 12:1 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,
2 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.
3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.--New Revised Standard Version
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