Sunday, October 30, 2016 Lesson: Hebrews 12:1-13; Time of Action: 67 A.D.; Place of Action: Just as the author of Hebrews is unknown, so is the place from which the letter was written Golden Text: Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1d-2a). I. INTRODUCTION. In preparing for this week s lesson, my mind went back to the account of the bronze serpent in Numbers chapter 21. Because of the Israelites sin, God sent fiery serpents among them, causing many to die. But God also provided a cure for those who had been bitten. The Lord commanded Moses to place a bronze copy of the snakes on a pole and anyone who looked up at it would live. However, looking at the bronze serpent meant more than a casual glance. The people had to look at it with confidence that they would be healed. This week s lesson encourages us to look unto Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. This does not involve a simple casual glance, but a belief that Jesus can do what He has said He will do. It s a look of faith!
LESSON BACKGROUND. Since we have access into God s presence made possible by Christ s atoning sacrifice, the writer of Hebrews urged his readers to draw near Him, building on their previous profession of faith and living out that faith while awaiting Christ s coming (see Hebrews 10:19-39). The writer encouraged his readers by giving examples of Old Testament saints who believed God s promises and lived and died by faith (see Hebrews 11:1-40). Then he applied those examples to the Hebrew Christians present circumstances. This is where our lesson begins. III. ENDURANCE IN THE RACE (Hebrews 12:1-3) A. The challenge of Old Testament witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). Our first verse says, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. The word Wherefore connects the examples of great faith presented in chapter 11 to the challenge the writer is about to make to his readers. He began by saying Wherefore seeing we
also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. The word compassed means surrounded. The writer was confirming the fact that believers are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses which is a figure of speech that refers to the heroes of faith presented in chapter 11. Even though the word cloud is used implying a great number of witnesses, the saints in chapter 11 are just a sample of many Old Testament believers who were faithful. It appears that the writer sees the Christian life like a race run in a stadium where believers are surrounded by those heroes of faith. The cloud of witnesses then are those saints, or previous runners, who have successfully finished their race and now are witnesses for us encouraging us to also run successful races by faith. Note: The question here is this: Are the witnesses watching us, or are we watching them? Strangely enough, many people seem to think that a departed Christian or loved one is somewhere watching us. However, there is no Scripture to support this idea. Instead of us visualizing ourselves on a playing field being spurred on by past believers watching us from the stands, we will be more faithful to Scripture by seeing these witnesses as enshrined in a museum of faith and using them as examples of how to run our own Christian race faithfully. It s as if we are admiring them as we take time strolling through that museum, being inspired by what they have accomplished for the Lord. There is another definition of the word witness that should be mentioned here. It comes from the Greek word martus from which we get our English word martyr. Many of those witnesses or heroes of faith in Hebrews
chapter 11 became martyrs for the Lord. Being spurred on by the examples of faith, the writer said let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. This describes two classes of obstacles to our spiritual growth. The first obstacle called a weight is anything that hinders us. Just as a runner must lay aside or remove all unnecessary weight in order to compete well, so too must a Christian. Some practices that may not be wrong in themselves can be weights that hinder spiritual progress. These must be cast aside. However, what may be a weight that hinders the spiritual growth of one person may not hinder someone else. The second obstacle sin is the same for all believers. There is a core of behavior that the Bible recognizes as wrong for everyone. Outright sins must also be cast aside. Both weights and sins can easily beset us or entangle us with ease. For that reason, we are to cast them aside or remove them in order to run with patience the race that is set before us. The word patience means endurance, steadfastness or perseverance. The term race here refers to the Christian s life, both spiritual and physical. Note: When we think of a race, we normally think of competing against other runners. But in this type of race, many people can win; therefore, it would be to each participant s advantage to encourage one another. That s why we should remember the faithful witnesses of the Bible, letting them serve as encouragement to our faithfulness. The Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon. It is not won by a short burst of enthusiasm and dedication, but by determination, persistence and endurance particularly in the face of hardships. The real proof of
a mature faith is steadfastness when facing the most severs trials of life. B. The example of Jesus (Hebrews 12:2-3). 1. (vs. 2). The writer goes on to say in this verse 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. While we are privileged to have believers past and present as examples of faithfulness, we should be Looking unto Jesus. In other words believers must look away from everything else, shutting out anything that could distract us from focusing exclusively on Jesus. The use of the name Jesus allows us to see Him as a human being. As we pursue spiritual maturity, our eyes should be fixed on Jesus who stands in the distance at the end of our course. This is because He is the author and finisher of our faith. The pronoun our was added by the translators and is not in the original text, so the reference here is to faith in general. Author can mean leader, pioneer, or first in line. Jesus stands at the head of everyone who has ever walked by faith. Finisher means one who completes or perfects. Jesus exemplifies One who has successfully run the race of faith from beginning to end. He shows us how it should be done. He also works in each of us to complete our faith. Jesus the author and finisher of our faith was driven to finish His mission by the joy that was set before him. Jesus
joy must have consisted of many things, such as reunion with the Father which could only be enjoyed by Jesus. But there was more. In His High Priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that they (His disciples) might have my joy fulfilled in themselves (see John 17:13), which indicates that Jesus joy was not for Him alone, but something He wanted to share with those for whom He died as a sacrifice and now lives as High Priest. Because of the the joy that was set before him, meaning the joy He knew would be His afterwards He completed His mission, Jesus endured the cross. Jesus endurance was active. The cross didn t just happen to Him. He sought it out on our behalf (see Matthew 20:18, 28; Mark 9:31; 10:33; Luke 9:22; John 3:14; 8:28). Jesus was so motivated by joy that while He endured the cross, He was also despising the shame or disregarding the shame that came with dying by crucifixion. Knowing that He would complete our redemption was so joyous to Him that He willingly endured the most extreme suffering and shame. Crucifixion was the most shameful way to die at that time, and was considered such a lowly form of death that Roman citizens were exempt from it. But the disgrace of the cross didn t deter Jesus. His only concern was to accomplish His Father s will (see John 5:30). These Hebrew Christians were encouraged to look to Jesus as a model of patience and endurance. He looked beyond the shame of the cross to His reward and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God the place of highest honor. Note: Jesus had risen from the deepest depths to the most exalted height seated at the right hand of His Father. The joy He anticipated is now His. He ran the race of faith with perseverance, and He now awaits the victorious arrival
of each one who follows Him. In the meantime, we must fix our gaze on Him for encouragement in our race of faith. 2. (vs. 3). In this verse the writer said For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. The readers of Hebrews were to do more than simply look to Jesus as an example. They were also exhorted to consider him. This means to meditate or devote careful and serious thought to a subject. They were to consider one particular point of Jesus experience and apply it to themselves which was that He endured such contradiction of sinners against himself. The word contradiction simply refers to opposition. Jesus, the perfect One had to rub shoulders with sinful humanity. But He also endured severe opposition from sinners that eventually resulted in His death (see John 7:7; 19:15). Note: We cannot imagine what it was like for Jesus to face animosity from self-styled experts on Scripture, when He had inspired the Book. Yet this was one problem Jesus had to contend with virtually every day of His public ministry. Were these Jewish converts any better than their Lord? If He faced opposition, what else could they expect? The reason given for the Jewish Christians need to consider or meditate on this was lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. In other words, they, like Jesus were encountering opposition; therefore, they needed to meditate on how Jesus endured or persevered so that they wouldn t grow weary and lose heart. There was evidence that although they had begun their race well, they
were becoming worn down by opposition. These Jewish believers needed to remind themselves that their Savior had persevered through more suffering than they would ever know, yet He still triumphed. IV. TRAINING FOR THE RACE (Hebrews 12:4-13) A. The need for discipline (Hebrews 12:4-6). 1. (vs. 4). In this verse the writer goes on to say Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. The writer reminds his readers that they may have suffered striving against sin, a reference to the sin of their opponents not their own sin; but they had not suffered as much as some saints of the past (see Hebrews 11:37). For these Hebrew Christians had not yet resisted unto blood, meaning that they had not yet been called to martyrdom or death for their faith. Up to this point, their persecutions had only included mockery, persecution, being jailed, and loss of possessions (see Hebrews 10:32-34). Note: There are two related thoughts here in this verse. First, because they had not yet suffered unto death, these Hebrew Christians needed to know that even those who did had emerged victorious, and they could as well. Second, the words not yet imply that they may still have to die for their faith. Jesus did, so why should they be exempted from this same fate (see
John 15:18-21; 16:1-3)? But even if these believers had to die for their faith, they could be sure that their Father had a loving purpose for it (see Romans 8:28. 2. (vs. 5). The writer continues to say on this verse And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. There was an additional element that the Hebrew believers may have forgotten, something that would put their sufferings in perspective. They needed to understand that God permitted trials in order to discipline His children. Therefore, the writer said And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children. The phrase And ye have forgotten is better read as a question: Have you forgotten? Since they were Jews they should have been well aware of the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children. The word exhortation can be translated encouragement because the Scripture that the writer was about to quote teaches that God intends to encourage rather than discourage the one who is experiencing trials. The writer then quoted from Proverbs 3:11saying, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. I like the Living Bible Translation that says And have you quite forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his child? He said, My son, don t be angry when the Lord punishes you. Don t be discouraged when he has to show you where you are wrong. The word despise in this verse means to make light of, or not taking something seriously. Obedient and
faithful children won t take their parents corrective measures or discipline likely but seriously. The word chastening was a term used to describe child rearing. It means to bring up, train, or instruct. The stricter meaning is disciplining. While God s chastening or discipline may be severe at times, its goal is the betterment of His child. Therefore, the writer urged his readers not to despise it or belittle its importance. It s wrong to become bitter or angry with God because His discipline becomes hard. Not only were these believers encouraged not to take God s discipline lightly, they were also encouraged not to faint when thou art rebuked of him (the Lord). The word rebuked refers to being shown when you are wrong. For sure, the hardships that may come with God s discipline are not pleasant, but believers must take them seriously, for they are God s way of shaping our character. Even if discipline involves rebuke, it should never lead one to faint or give up. Note: We must bear in mind that discipline and punishment are two different things. The author was talking about discipline which provides needed correction and guidance. These Hebrew Christians were not being punished for wrongdoing. God does not punish believers. He disciplines us to correct our behavior because we are His children. God allows us to experience negative things in order to refine us and make us more like Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. However, He does punish unbelievers because they are not His children (see Romans 9:8; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; I John 3:10).
3. (vs. 6). This verse says For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Contrary to what many of these Jewish readers may have thought, the Lord s discipline is not evidence of His displeasure. It s an expression of His love. Therefore, the author wrote For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. The Lord s chastening can be severe as seen in the fact that He scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. The term scourgeth refers to severe whipping. Every son or daughter whom God receiveth or belongs to Him, is scourged (made to endure pain) at some point in his or her spiritual development. Family discipline was expected in the ancient world. The father who didn t discipline his children revealed neglect, not love (see Proverbs 13:24). If he really cared for them, he would correct them. So too, it s the heavenly Father s love that leads Him to correct and train His own. B. The logic of discipline (Romans 12:7-8). 1. (vs. 7). In this verse the writer said If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? The phrase If ye endure chastening reads more literally, it is for discipline that you endure what you do. In other words, this is why God permits you to suffer. He is merely dealing with His own children just as every good father deals with his children. The question for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? is a way of saying that son-
ship without discipline is unthinkable. We should accept and patiently endure the Lord s chastening or discipline. His presence in our lives is an indication that a relationship exists between us and the Lord. Note: Afflictions or trials, that are rightly endured, even though they may be indications of God s displeasure, are yet proofs of His paternal love to His people and care for them. Even the best of God s children need chastisement. They have their faults and follies, which need to be corrected. God may let others alone in their sins, but He will correct sin in His own children because they are part of His family. In this He acts as a father, and treats them like children. No wise and good father will close his eyes to the faults in his own children as he would in others. His relation and his affections prompt him to take more notice of the faults of his own children than those of others. 2. (vs. 8). Continuing, the writer said But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. A clearer translation of this verse would be Now if you are never corrected and without discipline, in which all of God s children share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons at all. If his readers thought that they could be sons and daughters of God without being disciplined, they needed to consider that in a family this would be a sign of illegitimacy, not son-ship. The word bastards refers to children born to a master and his female slaves or concubines, and sometimes illegitimate children in general. They were not true members of the family and thus not
heirs. The father was not obligated to discipline them or take interest in their development. Note: The same thing applies in the spiritual realm. The sons and heirs are the ones who experience discipline. A lack of discipline is no cause for rejoicing. Instead, it should cause us to question the reality of our profession of faith. This does not mean that we ought to seek persecution or suffering, but it should cause us to be concerned if we begin to envy those who are prosperous yet wicked (see Psalms 73:1-20; Proverbs 24:19). The teaching in this verse raises some disturbing questions. If discipline and correction are essential aspects of responsible and loving child rearing, what message are parents who allow their children to get away with anything sending to their children? It may be the opposite of what they intend. And what about the professing believer who doesn t experience any hardships from God s loving hand? Is it possible that such a person is not really a legitimate member of His family? Think about it! C. A comparison of disciplines (Hebrews 12:9-10). 1. (vs. 9). The author went on to say in this verse Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? The phrase fathers of our flesh refers to our earthly or human fathers. When our earthly fathers
corrected or disciplined us, we gave them reverence meaning we still respected them because it was our duty to do so, but they are inferior to our heavenly Father. Since we respected our earthly fathers even when they disciplined us, the author asked shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? In other words, if we have a duty to respect our earthly fathers when they discipline us, shouldn t we also willingly submit to the discipline of the Father of spirits, and live? He is called the Father of spirits to contrast Him with our earthly fathers or the fathers of our flesh. As the Father of spirits, after He had formed the body of man out of the earth, He breathed into him a vital spirit, and so man became a living soul. Our earthly fathers gave us physical life, but our heavenly Father gives us spiritual life. The phrase and live refers to the result of submitting to God s discipline which is life. While the discipline of earthly fathers has value for this earthly life, God s discipline has value for eternity. The persecuted believers may have thought suffering was meant for their destruction, but God s aim was quite the opposite. 2. (vs. 10). This verse goes on to say For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he (God) for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. The pronoun they here refers back to our earthly fathers in the previous verse. Here is another contrast between earthly fathers and our heavenly Father. Our earthly fathers verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure. The word verily means truly. The phrase after their own
pleasure means as they saw fit. In essence, the writer was saying truly our earthly fathers trained or disciplined us for a few brief years of childhood, doing the best for us as they saw fit. Earthly fathers discipline their children as they think best, but sometimes they make mistakes. They may not know all the facts. They may react too harshly or be too lenient. However, in contrast, our heavenly Father never makes mistakes in the discipline He delivers. He chastened us or disciplines us for our profit meaning for our best interest and for our eternal good. And He does it so that we might be partakers of his holiness. The word partakers means those who share in something. The writer was saying that God s discipline is for our benefit so that we can share in His holiness. God s ultimate purpose is to make us like Himself, and every act of training and discipline He administers is intended to lead us in that direction (see I Peter 1:14-16). D. The outcome of discipline (Hebrews 12:11). In this verse the author says Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. At this point, the author of Hebrews forthrightly admitted that no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous. In other words, the writer was saying that being disciplined while it is happening isn t enjoyable it hurts! Then the writer added nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
righteousness. When God disciplines His children, it s a pruning process that will bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness. The word righteousness here is the same thing as holiness in verse 10 and means a right standing with God, and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks to conform to God s will and purpose. The writer calls this righteousness the peaceable fruit because it brings a proper relationship with God and His children (see Isaiah 32:17; Romans 5:1; 14:17; 15:13; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:14-15; Colossians 1:20). When a plant is pruned, it produces more fruit. The pruning of discipline in our lives will reap a harvest of peace and righteousness. However, this harvest of the peaceable fruit of righteousness is not automatic. The author declared that it was reserved only for them which are exercised thereby. The word exercised is an athletic term that means trained or to practice. As an athlete trains or practices without complaint and profits from it, likewise the Christian must submit to God with a teachable spirit. The discipline of trials and suffering will result in increased righteousness of life. E. An encouragement in the midst of discipline (Hebrews 12:12-13). 1. (vs. 12). This verse says Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. Having established the beneficial effects of God s discipline, the writer encourages his readers to renew their strength by quoting from Isaiah 35:3. He said lift up the hands which
hang down, and the feeble knees. In the midst of discouragement believers are to strengthen their limp hands and their feeble knees. This medical imagery implies that some believers are spiritually paralyzed by their persecutions. A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian s hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to discourage him. However, having a proper and correct understanding of God s discipline enables us to strengthen ourselves, and also help others to do likewise. 2. (vs. 13). In our final verse the writers says And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Finally, the writer encourages his readers to make straight paths for your feet. This means to remain faithful to the Lord and His example of perseverance in trials. They needed to do this lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. Stronger members of the community are to be an example or a straight path for the weaker members to follow. They must remove all obstacles that might cause weaker memebers to stumble (see Romans 14:21). Those who need the straight paths set by the stronger members are characterized as lame. These members are already spiritually injured or discouraged, and must be protected from further injury that might stunt their spiritual growth completely. Instead of aggravating the weakened condition of their brethren, the stronger ones must establish straight paths so they can be healed or become strong, and not discouraged by their trials.
V. Conclusion. The best leaders are those who lead by example. They not only tell us what to do; they also show us how to do it. We can look for no greater leader than Jesus. He endured temporary pain for the sake of eternal glory. Our lesson text encourages us to keep focusing on Him as we learn His lessons of patient endurance. This lesson also introduced us to chastening. God allows us to experience negative things in order to refine us and make us more like Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. How then can we persevere in the spiritual race before us? We must fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, who has already completed the course. We must also realistically face the disciplines to which God subjects us, realizing that they are for our good. And having done this, we must help others along the same path by encouragement and example. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***