Christ Our Example
CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE
HEBREWS 12:1-3
Remembering Jesus, and all that he experienced for us, is to encourage us as we run the race set out before us.
There is dispute as to whether we should understand the “cloud of witnesses” (12:1) as witnessing us as we live out the Christian life, or whether they are witnesses to the truth of the things of God from whose example we can learn much as we serve our Lord. In favor of the latter view it is pointed out that the word for “witnesses” seems never to be used of mere spectators. It is characteristically applied to those who have witnessed for the faith, and in time came to be applied specifically to those who witnessed by a martyr’s death. In favor of the former view is “we are surrounded,” which is not naturally interpreted as our looking to them, all the more so since the writer immediately goes on to say that we should have our attention fixed on Jesus (12:2). Perhaps there is a bit of both meanings. On the one hand the heroes of the past watch to see how we acquit ourselves. But on the other hand they do not do this as mere spectators. They are those who have borne witness in their day, as they look to us to do the same in ours.
But the important thing is that we have a race to run. We should therefore strip ourselves of everything that may hinder us (the distinction between “weight” and “sin” indicates that there are some things which, though not sins, we as Christians should avoid, since they are hindrances to our Christian advance). And especially we should fix our gaze on Jesus. He is our perfect example and inspiration. He is the “pioneer”: he is the One who shows us the way and is our leader as we seek to follow him. He is also the “perfecter”: he both initiates and brings to completion the faith by which we live.
Especially important is the cross. This is, of course, the way our salvation was brought about. But it is also our supreme example. Christ accepted it despite all the shame it involved (12:2) and now is in the place of highest honor. When we are confronted with open hostility, it is a strength to consider that we serve a Master who knows it exactly. For our salvation, he put up with the worst that sinners could do.