I love running. The starting line and finish line of every run is such a great feeling. You’ve started something amazing and then you’ve finished it.
Jesus is our starting line. Without Jesus, our faith and hope would be meaningless. He is the source of our salvation. His life and death is the reason we even get to run our race.
Jesus is also our finish line. During our run, we run toward and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We the run gets hard we remember who is waiting for us at the end. When we get lost, we look up to find the finish line. When we cross the line, it is Jesus who hands us our finisher medal.
The Hebrews writer goes all in on the race day analogy. Jesus is the starting line. Jesus is the finish line. Jesus is the first finisher. And, the finishers after Jesus but before us are all cheering us on as we run. They (Jesus included) know how hard the run can be. So, when we stumble or what to quit they encourage us to keep going. “You can do it!” “Get up and keep running!” “It’s okay the runs hard, just take one step at a time!” “Don’t get distracted!” “Stay focused!” “You’re almost there!” “Finish strong!” “Jesus is waiting!”
Jesus is the start line and finish line – the author and finisher of our salvation and faith. Without Him, the race wouldn’t be worth running.
So lace up your tennis shoes and get moving. Every one can get the finisher medal but you’ve got to be running in Jesus’ race and according to Jesus’ rules. Otherwise, you’ll be disqualified.
And if you’re running in Jesus’ race – look up. Run with good form and keep your eyes on Jesus – the finish line. He is there waiting and ready to give you your reward.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin that so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Adonai's Appeal 