Hebrews 12

1 Therefore, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us also run with endurance the race that is set before us,

You need to understand some things about The games in the Roman world. The Olympic Games as well as some of the other major games. The runners who ran in the races would run in the nude. They would lay aside anything that would slow them down. No excess weight. Nothing to slow them down. 

The sin that entangles them is a difficult word to translate. That is why the various translation differ. This is also the only place this word occurs in the word of God. It is The Greek is euperistatos. It reminds me of Romans 12:2 where it speaks about falling for the scheme's of this world. We as athletes of the spirit can’t get entangled into the things of this world.

We are to follow the examples given to us in the word that great cloud of witnesses.

2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the leader and finisher of our trust, who, because of the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, thinking nothing of the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We don’t look at what is going on in the world but we look at Jesus the leader and finisher of our trust or as the KJV puts it the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus Christ was the prime example of a person following what God wanted them to do. He is the greatest witness in that cloud of witnesses.  

3Yes, think carefully about him who has endured such opposition from sinners against himself, so that you do not grow weary, becoming exhausted in your souls.

Some translations omit the word yes. It can also be translated indeed. 

We are to mull over and think about the fact that Jesus had to endure all the contradiction of sinners. The religious verses the eat drink and be merry crowd. We should not be surprised if the same thing happens to us. It also says the world hated Jesus so don’t be surprised if it hates you as well. I have encountered those who hate me because of what I believe. It makes no difference to me I’ll stick with God and his wonderful son and world can go jump off a bridge as far as I am concerned. It would be easy to buckle under the pressure of people ridiculing you but we have a decision to make the same decision Jesus Christ had to face. Don’t forget he was a man as well as we are. We all want to be loved and accepted but at what price? Do you want to turn your back on the Lord who was beaten for you for all those hours? The same one who could have gotten down from the cross where he died for us.

4You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin.

5And have you completely forgotten the encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not lightly regard the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when you are reproved by him.

6For whom the Lord loves, he disciplines, and punishes every son whom he accepts as a son.;

I have been reprimanded before and it is no fun. It is always hard to admit you are wrong. The question becomes do you want to be correct in your actions and teachings or do you want to feel good about yourself? Well the word of God is that important to me that I’d rather eat crow than be wrong. 

I think about Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla. The great orator and teacher who was told he was wrong or as it is put in the word expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Apollos didn’t always have that meekness in his heart but at this time he did. 

7It is for discipline and guidance that you must continue to endure. God is treating you as sons, for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

 I certainly remember my father disciplining me. He did that because he loved me and wanted me to be the best person I could possibly be. He taught me right from wrong. Today we call that child abuse. There are no absolutes, there is no right or wrong. What a bunch of bunk. There is truth in this world and God tries to teach his children this. If we follow what God says to do we cannot go wrong.

8But if you are without that discipline—something all sons have shared in—then you are illegitimate children, and not sons.

Wow what an indictment you are illegitimate children, and not sons.  No one ever has accused me of that though they should have on a few occasions.

I believe God looks on our hearts and not just our actions. I know I fail many times but at least I’m trying to do what God wants me to do. So he accounts for that. 

9Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we gave them reverence. Should we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits, and live?

Yes we should.

10For they indeed disciplined us for a few days in ways that seemed good to them, but he disciplines us for our profit, so that we can be partakers of his holiness.

God only wants us to profit. That is his soul motive.