The Christian Marathon

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12: 1-3

The passage above is written against the background of the preceding chapter in which Apostle Paul had reminded the Jews about previous “witnesses” of old-in chapter 11, we recall Paul had spoken with passion and erudition about the faith of Enoch, Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Moses and others who as the Amplified Bible explains have “borne testimony to the truth”. Having reminded them about their history and inheritance, one which as followers of the faith we now share as spiritual children of Abraham, Paul proceeds to describe the Christian journey using the metaphor of a race. He talks about a “race that is set before us”. Why does Paul describe our faith and walk with Christ as a race? What is the nature of this race?

Again the Amplified Bible talks about “the appointed course of the race that is set before us”. So there is a race, and it is not a spontaneous, unregulated race, in which there are no lanes, judges, starters, guidelines and a specified course. There is an appointed course, a defined course for every Christian and the Bible encompasses the rules and regulations governing the race. Indeed the New International Version talks about “the race marked out for us”. So we are not free to run “as we like”, or “anyhow” otherwise we may be disqualified from the race much like an athlete who jumps the gun, crosses into another competitor’s lane or drops the baton. The race must be run strictly in line with the principles laid out in the originator’s manual, in this case, the Bible.

There are many types of races-the one hundred metres dash, and the other short (or relatively short) distance races such as 200, and 400 metres races. These sprints are dependent on strength and speed. There is a variant of the 100 and 200 metres races that has hurdles right in the athletes’ path and the victor is expected to run, and jump over the hurdles at intermittent points on the track. Then there are the middle distance races-400, 800 and 1,500 metres races. These ones begin to require in addition to strength and speed, also endurance and perseverance. There are some other really long distance races-the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 metre races-the type the Ethiopians, Kenyans and other Eastern Africans are used to winning. There is the steeplechase, in which there are all sorts of obstacles in the way-water, hurdles etc. And then there is the decathlon and hepathlon-races which combine so many other activities-throwing the javelin, jumping, running and all. And then there is the marathon.

Now imagine a marathon that is say over 100, 000 metres. You are required to run as fast as possible, but you must also run “with patience” because the course is long and winding. Imagine that there are hurdles just like in the 110 metres hurdles; there are pools of water like the steeplechase; there are sand pits like in the long jump; there are high bars like in the high jump; there are very high barriers for which you need a pole vault; there are even boxing rings on the way in which you must “fight” and resist the “fiery darts” of the enemy; in short a race that is a synthesis of all types of races-the sprint, hurdles, decathlon and marathon. That is the nature of the Christian race. You can only run such a race with speed, endurance and with patience. Indeed the Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary describes a race as “a contest that involves speed and endurance”. And you had better follow all the referee’s instructions so that at the end of it all you are not disqualified like those who are found to have used illegal steroids in secular sports!

Now that we understand the nature of the race, it is easy to understand why Paul counsels that we “lay aside every weight” before proceeding with the race. Imagine a serious competitor in the Olympics whether in the sprint, jumps or decathlons who decided to wear a heavy piece of jewellery or other adornment. His failure is guaranteed! And that is irrespective of his skill, speed, strength or other abilities. When Paul speaks of “weights”, what does he have in mind? Dake interprets this to mean laying aside whatever is hindering Christian progress. The Amplified Bible talks about every encumbrance. In short, anything-pride, conceit, anger, envy, hypocrisy, ignorance, legalism-anything whatsoever that gets in the way of our faith. Indeed the Macarthur Study Bible interprets Paul as speaking about the outward things in the Levitical system that ensnared and impeded the Jews from a true knowledge of Christ-the spirit of religion.

And then the Christian must lay aside every sin that so easily besets us. Paul speaks to the individual here. What is the sin that so easily besets each of us? Love of money and covetousness; the pleasures of the flesh and the opposite sex (or also the same sex); the desire for power and control; gossip and backbiting; various forms of wickedness and unbelief. Let each man and woman sort out their salvation with fear and trembling! In the Bible apart from Hebrews 12, there are other references to races, including Ecclesiastes 9: 11 (…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” This reminds us that running the race cannot be with our own strength, but to seek the grace and favour of God. That is why Paul asks that we look only unto Jesus, who is the author (source, beginning, origin, designer, cornerstone) and finisher (end, perfecter, glory, rewarder) of our faith.

But then like all races, there are prizes to those who successfully accomplish the race and complete the course. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul had written, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” That is why in 2 Timothy 4: 7-8, he declares, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…” Paul had completed his own marathon-a course marked with afflictions and victories; persecutions and testimonies; torments and rewards; but at the end of it all, he was able to complete his course, and to receive his prize. His course is different from yours or mine, but the principles are constant, and they are contained in the Bible.