The Race

K.White 17 October 1999

Hebrews 12 v 1 -2
“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.
Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our 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.”

Notice:- “Cloud”, not crowd of witnesses. These witnesses are those who have ran the race before us, have reached the goal and look down with joy and excitement, cheering us on to complete the goal.

I see a man on the track. He’s running his race. He knows his goal, but doesn’t know how fast he’s going or how long he’s got until he can reach the goal. Along the way, he’s hindered by people around him. A dense, seemingly endless crowd of people. None of the people are standing watching the race. Those watching the race are in the clouds above. No, these people are jostling him and each other as they are all attempting to run their own race, to find their own goal, to be the first to reach the ribbon across the end of the track and so as they aiming to be first, they also along the way either intentionally or unintentionally trying to prevent others from running and achieving their goals. So the man running was constantly having to fend off those who either tried to trip him, grab him, or push him over. The man knew where his goal was. He always tried to fix his eyes on Jesus, and not to look either to the left or the right. He had to knock people out of the way. He ignored their cries, because he was in a race, a race to glory. He shook off everything that hindered or entangled him. He went straight as an arrow for Jesus.

Along the way he heard a voice telling him to tell the others around him about the goal he was heading for, about Jesus and that his goal was better than any other. Surely not! He couldn’t stop to tell people. He was in a race. The people about him were intent on their race. But the voice persisted. He was told to slow down, look about him at the people, to hear their cries and frustrations and to point out that the goal he was headed for was by far the better goal and that at the end of the race their pains and frustrations would disappear.

He couldn’t do that. He would have to stop to explain. He would have to realise their pain and maybe even take note of his own pain too. Time was short, he was in a race. He couldn’t stop.

There seemed more people in his way now, going in all directions. He was forced to go slower and he became more annoyed. An old woman grabbed him. She told him she was confused. Had lost her goal and didn’t know the way back to it. He pointed out his goal. Pointed out the eyes of Jesus and told her about that goal, but she didn’t comprehend. She didn’t move and so he went on his way.
“You need to explain. You need to take time with them” the voice raged in his head. “Just like the one who had explained it to you.”

The man was thinking hard now. How could he explain effectively? He thought back to how one day he had met someone who had pointed out Jesus to him, who told him that the goal of heaven was greater than any other, that the prize was greater and the welcome warmer. Whilst thinking of these things he had stopped still. A giant of a man appeared to be barrelling straight towards him from the left. He only had a very short time to think which way to dive before the man would knock him flat, but this giant suddenly stopped right beside him indignant as to why he was directly in his way. The runner thought this was his chance and so he pointed to Jesus and told the giant to fix his eyes on Jesus that there was where the greater prize would be waiting. The man promptly turned and started towards Jesus. The runner had difficulty in keeping up with him. “By the way” he told the giant “tell others about Jesus as well.” As the two headed towards the goal together there seemed to be a surer step, but there were still a lot of people to negotiate. Both began explaining their goal to others. Soon there was a small group who were headed in the same direction with the same purpose. Some though after a while began looking around at other goals and wandering off again, only to be tripped up by other people.

As the group grew, the way seemed to be easier. People began to give way to the group or to give it wide berth for fear of being trampled on. The man began running again. His race was on. The group was happier than others about them. They began to encourage each other to run faster and surer towards the goal.

The man was sprinting now. The weakest in the group seemed to be keeping pace and even to be ahead of him at times. He was spurred on. He ran flat out. The group ahead, his ‘family’ cleared the way for him, allowing him to run freely. He was thrilled at the shear joy of running the race. The group moved off to the left. He wondered why until he realised he could see the ribbon in front of him. He was on the threshold of winning his race, of receiving his prize, the crown of righteousness, of being able to be with Jesus, his friend whom he had known since the time when he first fixed his eyes upon him.

Bolting through the ribbon, he felt the excitement of finishing the race, felt the joy of reaching his goal, and he ran straight into the arms of his friend, Jesus. Jesus said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”and placed the crown of righteousness on his head. Placed a banner around his shoulders, a medal over his head. Only a few of the group who had ran with him, had ran through the goal. He looked questioningly at Jesus, who pointed downwards. He looked and saw these people, saw the giant and the others, carrying on their race, letting others know about Jesus and the prize, heading towards the goal in their time, heading for Jesus. He was in the clouds. He had joined the witnesses, watching, encouraging, shouting, cheering as people streamed towards the goal of Heaven.
As Timothy had written, he had run his race, fought the good fight, kept the faith and had received the crown of righteousness.