Hebrews 12:1–31 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy 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 has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Grammar to the rescue

Verses 1 and 2 are one sentence with the main verb being “let us run.” It also contains three dependant clauses:

1. We have2. Rid ourselves of3. Let us keep our eyes fixed

Great A Cloud Of Witnesses Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents, Moses, The people of Israel, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and all the prophets

Witnesses

because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:40

the Old Testament heroes are watching how the writer of Hebrews and his readers run their race in the Christian life, since their own salvation is linked with that of Christians

Our dearly departed?

Spirit of Samuel2 Samuel 28:15-19

Moses and Elijah Luke 9:30

OT saintsMatthew 27:52-53

Perhaps

Not so much who’s watching now but

who’s at the finish line.

Lay aside

…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us

EncumbranceSin

Encumbrance

(1) Literally body fat(2) Athletic training

weights(3) Metaphorically in

Greek as pride(4) Philosophically as be

careful of “the good” as the enemy of “the best.”

Sin

BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.

Hebrews 10:38

(1) The sin nature (2) A besetting sin(3) Unbelief

the sin which controls us so tightly

Let Us Run

With endurance- capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances

Race-Agony

Set before-to exist openly or clearly

2nd half of the sentence

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Your Feet Go Where Your Eyes Look

Look to He who superior

Jesus Is Superior To Angels,Superior to the Prophets Jesus Is Superior To Moses And Joshua Jesus Is Superior To Aaron, Abraham, and

Melchizedek Jesus' New Covenant Is Superior To The Old

CovenantJesus Is Superior To All Old Testament Saints

Look at Him

1. Merciful And Faithful High Priest 2. Apostle And High Priest Of Our Confession, 3. Great High Priest Passed Through The Heavens. 4. Sympathizing High Priest 5. God-Ordained High Priest 6. High Priest Of The Melchizedek Order 7. High Priest Forever 8. High Priest Who Meets Our Needs 9. High Priest Seated At The Right Hand Of The Throne 10. High Priest Of Better 11. High Priest Over God's House

The Perfect Argument

2:10 author, Jesus, perfected by suffering

5:9 made perfect became source of salvation

7:11;19 law inability to perfect

7:28 God’s oath made Jesus the high priest

9:9 sacrifice cannot make perfect

10:1 closely following law cannot make perfect

10:40 all of all times made perfect by Christ's sacrifice

11:23 faith is originated and made complete by Jesus

11:23 the heroes faith is now completed

Think on Him

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Don’t lose heart