Devotionals

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There are many things we can learn from Hebrews 12:1-12, if we understand the context, and what the writer is saying. Just reading through this passage, many questions arise, and many great ideas are made known to us. Let’s explore this passage together.
Hebrews 12:1
First, we must ask ourselves what the “therefore” is there for. Therefore is a connecting word that links the last passage to this one. The writer, (no one knows who) uses this to help the audience understand the concept of the last chapter, and link it to the one they are reading now.
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses; people who have set a great example for us. Just as for the Jews, the people mentioned in the Old Testament were great role models; they can be the same for us. We can follow the examples of the people in the Bible just as the Jews do. They are our witnesses, just as our friends and pastors are. We can look in the Bible at how they faced troubles, and use their examples as lessons, or answers to what we face each day.
Throw off all your burdens, just as the verse says. We have no reason to worry, God doesn’t want us to be stressed, and so agonized we become separated from Him. Sin also separates us from the love of Jesus Christ. Even our favorite things to do, sometimes need to be laid aside to focus on what he has for us. That doesn’t mean not having any fun, but having fun with joy, knowing nothing can separate you from what God has to offer you.
Think about what hinders you, soccer, basketball, homework, or even family? What keeps you from having a personal time with Jesus? What distracts you from focusing on Christ? This verse urges us to run the race and follow his lead. This is definitely hardest if you have something else in the way. That is why the writer urges us to throw off what hinders us and follow Him.
Don’t give up! Running with perseverance can be hard. Life with Jesus in the lead isn’t always all that fun and giving up your burdens, sin and sometimes desires, isn’t always all that easy. Trust in Him to help you, and cast your care on Him. He knows what’s best for you.
What is the race marked out for us? Well, that’s definitely easy! The race is living the life God has called out for us to live in His Word. However, I think it goes deeper than that. Living out God’s word is like praying and obeying the Ten Commandments and definitely telling others about him. But what about deciding the big stuff, like where we should go to college, and who we should marry? The Bible does definitely not say, “Sarah you should marry Billy Bob, Jr. the

3rd when you’re 36 and have 10 kids!” God has a different race for each one of us. Maybe God will call me into the mission field, while he wants you to stay and be a witness to the people around you. Right now, I’m not really sure what God wants me to do, but I know he has a plan. Even though I don’t know what I’m supposed to do in a couple of years, (most of us don’t) I can run with perseverance the race God has called me to live right now; to follow His Word.
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus! Look at the example Jesus laid out for us. Jesus is our witness as Christians. We can look to him for guidance, counsel, and help when we are in need. Just reading about him should give us that feeling we felt when we were a little kid watching Superman or Wonder-Woman on T.V. Didn’t you just want to be exactly like that T.V. character? You wanted the cape, the boots, and the superpowers. You probably even practiced talking like him, and helping people just like he/she did. That is how we should be with Jesus. We should fix our eyes on Him and follow His example. We should want to talk like He did, help people like He did, and be all around just like Him. By examining what He did in the New Testament we can know what He was like and be like Him too.
Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith. Without Him we would still be following the Old Testament. If He had died on the cross, we wouldn’t have the joy of knowing Him as we do today. There wouldn’t be Christians today, if He wouldn’t have died for us, and rose again. Even now, Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of the throne of God. He goes to the Father with all of our needs, tells him all of our troubles, and I honestly believe talks to Him about us all the time. He loves us and cares about us. He wouldn’t die for us if He didn’t!!!!!
What is the joy set before us? (I never came to a conclusion, but I have a few ideas.) The joy set before Jesus could be defeating death. Finally, after being tempted, and enduring Satan’s trials, He knew he could put an end to it. Another idea is that He could be looking forward to going to heaven.
Hebrew 12:3
As I said before, in verse one, the path or race with Jesus can get a little bit discouraging. Running the Christian race can make us tired, and aggravated. However, think of Jesus. People beat Him, spit in His eyes, made fun of Him, tormented Him, and sometimes, here in America the worst tormenting we get from being a Christian is . . .well, (on a bad day) a little teasing. All around us people in other cities, and other countries are being persecuted for following Christ, and hear we are in a Christian school, and mostly Christian Country, having a pity party because wearing going through a rough time. We do have tough times sometimes even though we are protected, a family member dies, some one gets sick, or even you are feeling down. However, focus on what Jesus went through for you, don’t grow weary, or lose heart, He Cares about you, and won’t leave you.
Hebrews 12:4
We all struggle against sin. Everything wasn’t perfect for the people in bible days or the people now. We all have trials and hard times. Don’t think things were easy for the first Christians. It was probably even harder, however, the Jews didn’t even have to die for their sins. (They never had to shed their blood.) I mean they had their hard times in life, but they weren’t exactly being killed, and they weren’t facing anything like Christ did. They should be encouraged that since there forefathers in chapter 11, made it through their trials. They can too.
Hebrews 12:5
Sometimes we forget things the Lord has told us. Sometimes we forget that he loves us, what he’s promised us, what he’s done for us, and tend to forget like in this passage, that he’s our Father. He’s only taking care of us. My Dad won’t be a good Father if he didn’t teach me. It’s hard when he does, and I hate it, but if he didn’t he wouldn’t love me. The Lord does that to us. He addresses us as sons. He cares for us. Unless we know that (and don’t forget), it can be hard living for Christ. Sometimes as a student in school, when a teacher tells me something important, I take it lightly. (Guiltily) I think o.k. Won’t do that again, and forget about it. Ya, I feel sorry about it at the time, but it’s sometimes easy to forget. Honestly, if you do that with your teacher, boss, or anyone around you, than you probably do it with God. We can’t make light of what God tells us to do. It’s easy to read something in the Bible or hear something in a sermon, then go get pizza and forget about it. God teaches us through circumstances in our life, and the Holy Spirit will speak to our heart whenever we do something wrong. Don’t ignore the Holy Spirit teaching you and correcting you. Don’t make light of what God wants to tell you.
It’s funny, but picture in your mind a little kid in trouble. I can see it now, a little girl sitting in a corner with her lip puckered out and a tear running down her cheek. Maybe you’ve seen it yourself, or remember when you used to go to the corner and have a pity party. (Hopefully you don’t still) I think sometimes, we do that with God. Whenever we tells us we did something wrong we get all upset. We get mad at ourselves; because we love him so much we can’t believe we disappointed him. We can’t lose heart. He’s teaching us because again, he loves us and he wants to make us better. It’s for your own good. Don’t worry about it.
Hebrews 12:6
Because. For this reason. Because is also a linking word that connects the last verse with this one. The writer is urging us to understand that because he disciplines those he loves, we should not lose heart. By using this connecting word he ties the two verses together.
God loves you. If you’re going through a rough time. He cares; God punishes those he loves, and accepts as a son. Think about it. As His kid, you belong to Him, and he’s just trying to teach you.
Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline. Look at the good stuff of your hardships; be optimistic. Think of what you can learn and what God can help you understand. Isn’t it funny how all the little kids that get what they want ALL the time usually end up being pretty spoiled. God, as your Father, wants to protect you from that. Just think of all the kids who are disciplined and taught. Don’t they usually end up a little better? God wouldn’t be our Father if he made life real easy and never made any hard times. He wouldn’t be our Father if he gave us everything we wanted all the time. He loves us and he’s just trying to teach us. In the midst of your hard times, be optimistic, he knows what he’s doing.
Hebrews 12:8
“So?” you might ask, “What if I don’t seem to be under any discipline.” Maybe you should re-think your spiritual walk. Part of having a walk with Christ is growing and you can’t grow unless you have rain and sunshine and air, and every now and then, a pinch of plant food. Well, not literally, but in our Christian walk we need different things, and one of those things is God’s teaching. If you’re not under God’s teaching, every now and then, you probably are not a true Son of God. Rethink your life. Maybe, just maybe, theirs some things you need to change.
Hebrew 12:9
Think of what your parents have taught you. They taught you the simple stuff (which wasn’t all that simple then) . . . how to tie your shoes, read, and swim, and helped you take your first steps. Now think of what God has done for you. He gave you his life, loved you, created you, died for you, forgave you, and still forgives you everyday. Think how much more your Father can heavenly Father can teach you, if you submit yourself to him. Submit yourself to Him and he’ll reward you. Receive what he has to teach you.
Hebrews 12:10
(Written to the Jews, this scripture has reference to the Old Testament fathers. For a while, the old testament fathers were in control of the Jews, but now Jesus Christ is, and these new Christians are learning to trust in His guidance.) God disciplines us for our own good. He’s trying to make us better people. Again, the more we learn about God, the closer we will get to Him. And the closer we get to Him the more we can share in God’s holiness. God is such a holy God, and as we grow through our trials and discipline we will become more like Him. We will become holy like Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:11
Isn’t it kind of painful when you find out your wrong? Embarrassing? In the midst of a trial, or rough time in your life, you get a little down or discouraged. But if you endure to the end, you will reap what you sow during that time. You can learn so much! Just think of the first time you learned to play baseball, or run track. Wasn’t it hard the first few days, weeks, month? But, finally, when you had your first game, all your work paid off. You got to enjoy the sport and have fun! And if you did well, you probably received a trophy or pat on the back from your coach. It’s just like that with Christ. Running the race of Christ gets pretty tiring. Your back might get a little bit sore, you might receive a few bruises, and you’ll probably want to give up, but in the end, all your work is paid off. Especially when you get that pat on the back from your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I can’t wait for the day when he will say to me, “well done. Good and faithful servant.”
Hebrews 12: 12
Honestly, I don’t really know exactly what this verse is saying. It could mean that we should fix the problems in our life and bring them to Jesus Christ to help us fix. Whenever, you’re not in a rough time, don’t play around and not think about anything concerning Jesus. Use that time to build up your spiritual life, and don’t tear it down. During that time, grow even closer to God; live out what he taught you during the last trial. At the end of this passage, the writer is probably trying to make the transition (because of the therefore!) into the thought of refusing God.
Hebrews 12:1-12 is a great passage. However, there are so many things we can learn it’s totally crazy!!!! Have fellowship with your Father and ask him what you need to work on. Maybe, focus on one of the things you have trouble with, and then branch out. Learning some of these things can be tough. I certainly haven’t mastered any of it, but don’t lose heart! God is a loving forgiving Father, and he wants to help you learn. Trust in Him.

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