Tuesday 03 February 2009

Background

For some Christians, life can be incredibly tough at times. Itmay be the experience of being treated as a wimp because you go tochurch. In some parts of the world, people are still persecutedbecause of their faith. Today's passage takes us into the heart ofsuch experiences and into the realm of faithful endurance.

This is the first of a series of passages taken from the letter tothe Hebrews. While the author is anonymous, the letter is clearlyaimed at people from a Jewish background. This is evident from theillustrations used, for example, chapter11 reports a list of people who had faithfully served Godover time and despite much opposition or testing. The names aretaken from the history of the children of Israel (the Jewishpeople). The intention of all this is to encourage the writer'saudience. So, at the beginning of chapter 12, we read, "Therefore,since ..." The challenge is to emulate those who have gone before.The twin aspirations are to faith and endurance.

The reader is reminded in verse 2 of the supreme example offaithful endurance in the service to God. This is Jesus Christ. Heis described as a "pioneer" - perhaps because he is the firstperfect example? And "perfecter" - because he enables us to dobetter. The invitation is to consider his example when we find lifetough. We are reminded of his death on the Cross (verse 2) and thehostility he endured (verse 3). His earthly suffering puts himalongside all that humans might expect to endure.

The implication of verse 4 is that the original recipients of thisletter, while suffering for their faith, had not actually sufferedserious physical attack at the time of writing. Perhaps the writerwants to prepare them for more difficult times ahead. He uses anillustration often encountered in the writings of Saint Paul - thatof the athlete (eg 1 Corinthians9:24-27, Philippians3:13-14, 2Timothy 4:7-8).

As our thoughts turn regularly to the 2012 Olympics, it's worthremembering how demanding it is to achieve Olympic gold - all thelong hours of training, missing out on a social life and so on. Butthat is the only way to stand a chance of a medal. Keeping going asa Christian is equally demanding, with or without suffering.

To Ponder

What difficulties have you witnessed others faceup to in seeking to live faithful and godly lives - either peopleyou know or whom you have read about? How do you think they havekept going?

What difficulties have hindered you in trying tobe a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ?