Eyes On Jesus – Hebrews 12:1-3
Dec 9, 2025 6621
[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (ESV)
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Therefore.
That word connects us to everything in Hebrews 11. We’ve heard stories of faith – Moses, Abraham, Rahab, Noah, and more. These witnesses ran the race of faith in the Old Testament, trusting God’s promises even when they didn’t see fulfilment in their lifetimes.
Now we’re surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses.
Anyone Can Start
Anyone can start a race. But the key is finishing it. The call in the Christian life is to press on until the end. Endure until the end.
Notice it says lay aside every weight and sin (v.1). Some things weigh us down that may not be sin in themselves. Before you run a race, you take off your tracksuit. It’s not sin – it keeps you warm. But for the race, you take it off.
What are the weights in your life? Phones you pick up again and again. Screen time that soars. Habits that aren’t necessarily sinful but aren’t helping you run well.
What do you need to throw off?
The Pioneer Who Endured
We run this race by “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” (v. 2)
Jesus is the founder of our faith – our faith is about him. And he’s the perfecter – the one who completes it. Jesus didn’t just call us to have faith. He ran the race himself.
He endured the cross (v.2). His goal was to get there and die for the sins of the world. He took the shame for our sin upon himself. Yet he rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God.
Don’t Grow Weary
What a beautiful invitation in verse 3: “Consider him”. Think carefully about Jesus. He faced abuse, torture, rejection, mockery, and abandonment. He endured hostility from sinners.
Why consider this? “So that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (v.3).
When we’re struggling, when we’re tired, when we feel like giving up – we look to Jesus. We fix our eyes on the one who has already endured, who has already finished the race, who is already seated at the right hand of God.
The Good News Is…
The good news is that Jesus has run this race before us. He’s the pioneer who blazed the trail. He endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now seated in glory. We’re not running toward an uncertain finish line. We’re following the one who’s already crossed it. And when we grow weary, we fix our eyes on him – and we keep running to him.
Reflection
Heavenly Father, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus this week. When we’re tempted to grow weary, remind us of all that Jesus endured for us. Help us to throw off the weights and sins that slow us down, and to run with endurance the race you’ve set before us. Through Jesus, our pioneer and perfecter, Amen.
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