Every muscle is fatigued and in anguish. Lungs ache with every breath. Hands begin to go numb. The perception of reality begins to fade, and it seems hallucinating has taken over. These are people's reactions after running a grueling 26.2-mile marathon. Their bodies feel like they've "hit a wall," and can't go on. It's a race definitely not for those unprepared for the rigors of going the distance.
In the verse above, the author is using such an analogy - running a race. And like that marathon, the spiritual race he is describing can be grueling. It wears us down, and we don't think we can make it. The truth is this: if we had to rely on ourselves for the strength to carry on in this spiritual race, there is no way we could finish. In the same way that we would not have God's salvation without His grace and mercy through Word and Sacrament, we have no hope of running this race unless He is with us.
This is the message of the author to the Hebrews. Yes, the race is hard, but instead of worrying about how difficult it is, we fix our eyes instead on Jesus. He has already run the road we travel. In spite of the scorn and punishment He received from men, He ran with joy toward the cross because He knew that on that cross sin, death, and the devil would be destroyed once and for all.
So, during this Lenten season when we focus on our Savior's death, burial, and resurrection, let us fix our eyes on Him, that Suffering Servant, who has already run this race and won. And remember that He goes with us as we travel down the road.
THE PRAYER: Father God, You have chosen us as Your very own through the waters of Holy Baptism. Give us the courage and strength to be like our Savior, running our races faithfully. Help us daily to run with endurance, looking for the joy that will be ours when we will be united with Him on the last day. In the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pray these things. Amen.
Written by Pastor Bill Weiss
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Lidderdale, Iowa
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