Hebrews 12: Training, Discipline, Hardship, Reward

Our Epistle Scripture today is from Hebrews 12

Holy scripture doesn’t tell us what human author wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews. In the past it was often attributed to the Apostle Paul, but Paul signed his name to his letters, and the style and vocabulary are not consistent with Paul’s writing. But noting the themes of the book of Hebrews it seems likely that the writer knew Paul well.

What we know from the book itself is this:

• The book was written to Jewish Christians under great persecution
• The human writer knew Jewish history and understood the temple sacrifices well
• The writer makes the case that Christ is superior to all the Old Testament Saints, That He is the greater high priest, and that has offered the greater sacrifice in the greater heavenly temple.
• There is no good reason for anyone to leave Christ and go back to the Old sacrificial system.
• Following God has historically involved suffering on the part of many of the faithful.

Then in our passage today he makes the case to keep following Jesus even when it is costly in this life, because the reward is eternal!

The writer uses two great images: the image of a foot race with the crowd of witnesses to the faith, now witnessing the race, and cheering believers on.

The Apostle Paul was likely a sports guy. He certainly loved to use the image of a foot race as an example of a life of faith, and the foot race image in Hebrews is partly why some would argue that Paul must have written it. Consider these examples the foot race from Paul’s Epistles:

Act 20:24 NIV  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

1Co 9:24-27 NIV  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  (25)  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  (26)  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  (27)  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Gal 2:2 NIV  I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.

Gal 5:7 NIV  You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

2Ti 4:7-8 NIV  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8)  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

The image of a race used to describe the Christian life by Paul and by the writer of Hebrews speaks volumes:

• The Christian life will not be easy
• The Christian life takes commitment
• The Christian life takes effort and endurance
• The Christian life takes singleness of will
• The Christian life takes practice and sacrifice

The other great image in Hebrews 12 is that of our God as a good, but strict father to his children.

• Corporal punishment is included in the passage, but it is not the focus.
• Most of the section on God’s discipline focuses on God as being like a caring human father training his child to be a responsible adult. Such training, as with athletic training, can be unpleasant at times, but the writer asks his readers to focus on the good result of the maturity and the victory to which God is developing them.

The main message of chapter 12 seems to be that following Jesus can be very hard and costly, but that it has an great and eternal reward for those who submit to the training and the hardships.