Daily Dose of the Word of God - Hebrews 12: 1-2

Erin Pacheco, Director of Worship

Transcript

Erin Pacheco 0:00 

Today is All Saints Day – the day when many churches celebrate the lives and testimonies of faithful Christians throughout the centuries. Our reading today comes from Hebrews 12, which comes right after a long list of Old Testament saints and Christian martyrs, with all kinds of stories of courageous faith. This is Hebrews 12:1-2:

Erin Pacheco  0:48 

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, 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.

Erin Pacheco  1:21 

When was the last time you took a step back and reflected on the people who brought the gospel of Jesus to you? Maybe it was a parent or grandparent, or a pastor or teacher. Maybe a friend, who took the time to have a courageous conversation with you. Maybe you can remember a key moment where God used someone to do something or say something that rocked your world. Maybe it wasn’t one moment or one person, but rather a whole community over time—a legacy of quiet, steady faithfulness that guided you and moved you to walk in step with the Lord. Today is a great day to step back and give thanks to God for all the people who passed the baton of faith to you.   And, as the author of Hebrews says, when we do that, it gives us courage to run our own race with endurance. As if life is a marathon, and all those people are cheering you on.   So throw off the dead weight, peel off the sin that’s holding you back, and run, fixing your eyes on the finish line — Jesus himself, who endured it all and conquered it all for us and paved the way for us to run straight toward God.

Erin Pacheco  2:54  

Let’s pray. Jesus, you know the journey that each of us is on. Shed your light on our path, and help us hear the voices of all the saints, ringing through the centuries, who testify to your faithfulness and provision. May we run the race marked out for us with courage and boldness, following your example of self-sacrificing love. Amen.