Hebrews 12

Read Hebrews 12

Verses chosen for meditation:

Hebrews 12:1-3, 5-11, 22-24 ESV:

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. 

5. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have 

participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Reflect

How good a witness are we?

How good a role model is Jesus?

How good is discipline?

How do we view discipline?

How good is God?

Relate

People watching is a common pastime for many of us. Since they are usually strangers, what they do will not have much of a direct impact on us. 

On the other hand, friends, relatives, colleagues, classmates, church members, associates, acquaintances, and even loved ones make up our cloud of witnesses. They are people who observe us. Not only that, they form an impression of us that may have an impact on them. 

Then, there’s the public figure. Their cloud of witnesses gets even bigger with their celebrity - like status. They are observed by a great host of followers as well as critics, people whom they may not really know much about. But every move of theirs matters to these countless individuals. Social media platforms do a disservice to them at times by the viral nature of their news spread. 

As a result, I don't think it's anymore a question of whether our witness can bear scrutiny. There is simply no exception, not for anyone. We are all called to press on, remove any hindrance that is weighing on us or blocking our way, and continue looking to Jesus as the role model. To this end, the cloud of witnesses could do a favour by cheering us on.

Until we're fully transformed, we don’t exactly make good witnesses no matter how hard we try. But take heart and see instead the changes and progress we're making, albeit bit by bit, towards becoming like Christ who is our role model.

For that matter, the quick - to - judge or quick - to - jump - to - conclusion approach does not help. Neither is the idea of speed. For it's not about how fast, but how enduring the change is. A change is only real when it endures. In this case, it's real when it stays in the direction of its goal, with Christlikeness as the goal.

Change needs not only time but discipline. And along with discipline, a clear sense of direction. Unfortunately, most of us are averse to discipline. It has taken me many years to realise the actual benefits of discipline. Still, I wouldn't say that it was fun going through it.

Discipline is a killjoy. It also brings misunderstanding. Often, the person being disciplined feels misunderstood, speaking for myself at least. 

Here again, Christ is an excellent role model. Learn from him how he endured the cross. Despite being an extremely painful experience, he was willing to endure it for an outcome that was long - awaited. For that reason, and the joy set before him, he endured the cross.

Though we will never go near where Christ had gone in the crucifixion narrative, we can nevertheless take a leaf out of the crucifixion account and approach discipline in much the same way by first trusting that God loves us and knows what he's doing. By being able then to see the good in store, we can subsequently derive pleasure from the thought of being deemed worthy by God.

Discipline will never be enjoyable, not at least in itself, but it is good and necessary. It is necessary for our transformation, which is necessary for our witness. If we could also see 

the beneficial side of it, then we are approaching it the way that God would have wanted.

We can only do that if we trust that God is good. And that he loves those whom he disciplines.

Rest

Lord, may we not forget that you love us as we go through the discipline that's deemed necessary for our transformation. This way as we grow in Christlikeness, may we count it towards the cost of discipleship. As for the cloud of witnesses, may they know that we are your disciples.

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