Surrounded

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.

Last week I talked about being stuck – how the man by the Pool called Bethesda was stuck there – 38 years as an invalid with no way to get healed.  Sometimes when we feel stuck, it’s easy to also feel all alone. A few years ago at a Youth Workers’ Convention, the speaker asked us to stand if we were going through a tough time.  I hesitantly stood, and then looked around and saw nearly half of my fellow youth workers standing, including my friend I was rooming with.  The truth was I was not alone.

In the book of Hebrews, the “great cloud of witnesses” is the Faith Hall of Fame from Hebrews 11. Abel, who offered a good sacrifice to God.  Noah, who built an ark, far from water. Abraham, who followed God, though he didn’t know where he was going, had a child in his old age, and passed the test God had for him.  Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and so many heroes of the faith. And those are joined by multitudes who suffered for their faith, who persevered and who made it. The author of the letter to the Hebrews was on to something; we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who keep us focused on our goal. 

We might be tempted to think of the “witnesses” as mere spectators, ones who stand alongside, cheering, but never actually participating, but that’s not what Hebrews 12 is talking about.  The word here means something more like those who have borne witness to the possibilities of the life of faith, those who have lived in the promises God has promised to them.  The word that we recognize as “witness” is also the word used for “martyr” – someone who suffers for their faith.

As a church, our great cloud of witnesses includes Rev. Martin Kellogg, the first pastor of the first church in Millersport, back in 1838.  Rev. Richard Frasure, the pastor of the Millersport EUB church when this building was built, is one of the members of the cloud of witnesses.  So are Harold Jeffers and Jack Swick, Kenneth Wrightsel, Pastor Merle Walter, Pastor Tom Keene, and Pastor Clarence Hensel.  I mention the pastors, because those are the names I know.  But if it weren’t for the prayers, guidance, and leadership of faithful Christians, clergy and laity, we wouldn’t be the people we are today. Did you know that in the early days, services were punctuated by “Amens” and shouting, primarily from Peter Cool, Emily Brison, and Mrs. Gabriel Critton?  And there are so many who have walked the path before us, those mentors and spiritual parents who led us closer to the Lord, those who have guided us along the journey toward Jesus Christ.   

My cloud of witnesses includes my mother, who faithfully brought three children to church and who prayed for us and led us in family devotions.  My cloud of witnesses includes Patty Mumaw, who taught my first grade Sunday School class, and then sent me the church bulletins and a note when I went off to college.  It also includes Ron and Jean Simpson, who taught my third grade class, and when he went to the Promised Land, he brought back each of us an olive wood cross, and knowing my affinity for stamps, he sent me a postcard with an Israeli stamp on it.  My cloud of witnesses includes Rod Cameron, the camp director at Rainbow Christian camp, as well as numerous volunteer staffers who gave a week of their summer to invest in my life, people like Greg Fasnacht, Denny Stevenson, and Randy Ware.

It includes David Schaff, who confronted me on my lukewarm Christian witness, and Drew Rick-Miller, who helped me start a Bible study in my fraternity.  It includes Rev. David Handley who gently demonstrated social justice and racial reconciliation.  And it includes Dr. Chris Kiesling, who spent extra time mentoring a young seminarian, and Monty Wilkinson, who mentored me as an intern at Southland Christian Church.   

Who is in your Great Cloud of Witnesses? 

It’s important to note what the cloud of witnesses is all about. The second half of Hebrews 12:1 tells us that they motivate us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

There are lots of people who encourage us but who aren’t necessarily part of the great cloud of witnesses.  One of the hallmarks of the cloud of witnesses is the type of motivation.  They help us to grow closer to God.  Have you ever had someone who loves you tell you that something you’re doing isn’t good or helpful?  I’m a part of a group where we have asked to be held accountable.  We allow ourselves to be vulnerable enough to say “these are the areas where I’m struggling” and then we invite the others to ask us about those areas.  Not to condemn us, but to help us.  One struggle many of us have is the struggle between the good and the best.  We don’t struggle with “do I murder this person I don’t like?” But frequently there are good things that get in the way of the best thing.  Sometimes these “good” things end up hindering us and we get sidetracked from the best thing we should be doing.

God has a plan for each of us.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Though God has a good plan for us, it doesn’t mean it will be easy.  It takes perseverance and patience. 

James even tells us to consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1:2-3).  In other words, to actually gain the type of perseverance it takes to run the course that God has set for us, we will have to face trials of many kinds.  It’s those tests that build in us that persistent determination to follow Jesus.  

During trials and testing, it’s easy to lose heart, but the author of the letter to the Hebrews knows this, and reminds us of our goal. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Our goal, the purpose of everything we do, is Jesus.  Why Jesus?  If you read through the book of Hebrews, you’ll see Jesus as the ultimate High Priest, overshadowing all other priests.  Here, the author demonstrates that Jesus is also the ultimate witness within the Great Cloud.  He is the pioneer of our salvation, made perfect through suffering, as noted in Hebrews 2:10, and also making our faith perfect by being the personal end goal of our faith. 

Jesus suffered and died for us. People often consider how we’d like to die, if given the choice, and when we’re talking about a loved one’s death, we’ll share, “At least he didn’t suffer.” But Jesus actually chose to suffer shame, humiliation, as well as horrendous pain and die a cursed death, on a cross.  But that wasn’t the end.  Jesus was no simple martyr who died for a cause.  He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus received his reward for patient obedience, the payment for his perseverance through incredible suffering.  That’s why Hebrews 12:3 tells us to Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When it seems like there is no end to your trials, take heart, because Jesus suffered without complaint at the hands of sinners, not only the Jews’ and Romans’, but at our hands, for it was our sin that nailed Him to the cross.  But he is still receiving his reward, and he promises the same for us as well.  So do not grow weary or lose heart.

As we conclude this worship service, we will be participating in the Lord’s Supper, receiving the bread and the cup, participating in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. 

We remember God’s mighty acts and how Jesus suffered and died, but we also recognize His resurrection from the dead, and his ascension into heaven, from whence he will come to judge us.  We recognize his promises and the gift of forgiveness that is only available in Him, forgiveness of our sin, and freedom to joyfully obey Him.  We accept the strength and perseverance He give us to endure the journey set before us, and we walk those steps in His council, with our eyes fixed on Him.