The author of Hebrews has gone to great lengths to define faith. And he has mostly done that by example. Twenty-two times in the first thirty-one verses of this eleventh chapter, you will find the expression “by faith.” Each one is followed by what a person did because of their faith. Our author is not content for faith to be merely an intellectual exercise. Genuine faith will cause a person to respond in some way. You cannot remain unchanged.
This topic of faith continues in the rest of the chapter and into the beginning of the next. We will see first a quick summary of what faith led people to do. As well as an encouragement to follow their example.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Table of contents
The List Goes On
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—
Hebrews 11:32-37 NIV
The list of examples of people living by faith is endless. The Scripture is filled with examples of those who lived by faith. The author seemed to have access to additional accounts that he shares here. And history, since this was penned, has many more examples. It is often tempting as Christians to understand that people under the old covenant were saved by obedience to the Law. But that is not true. And this chapter demonstrates that. These people were not commended for their faithfulness in keeping the Law. Instead, they are commended because the faith they had in God’s promises prompted them to action. They were saved by faith.
Only Together With Us
—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
Hebrews 11:38-40 NIV
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
The World Was Not Worthy of Them
The world is not worthy of those who have lived, suffered, and died by faith. This is a wonderful reflection on the upsidedown nature of the kingdom of God. It is not the strong and powerful, the influential or well-regarded, or those looked up to in this world who are significant. But it is those who have lived by faith. They are too good for this world. A world that looks down on them. But their time will come.
These were commended for their faith. It was the one thing they had in common. They had a faith that they lived out each day. They did not see the reward coming to them in this life. Nevertheless, they remained faithful.
Together With Us
The author of Hebrews has written extensively about the new covenant’s superiority over the old. About the new high priest we have in Jesus, who offered himself as an atoning sacrifice capable of cleansing our sin. And about the Law written on our hearts in the person of the Holy Spirit. The author would point to Jesus’ crucifixion as the turning point in history.
Those who lived and died by faith under the old covenant did not miss out on what Jesus did for us, though. Jesus’ atonement was not just for those living at the time. It was also for those of us who have lived since, as well as those who lived by faith before he came. Regardless of a person’s location in history, those who live by faith are covered under the blood of Jesus. We are all together made perfect in Christ.
Run With Perseverance
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
This verse paints an exciting picture. The life we live in service to Christ is described as a race that we are running. And in the stands all around us sit those who have already finished their race. Those that were mentioned in the eleventh chapter and countless others throughout history. Including some people that we might have known. I think periodically about my parents sitting in the front row, cheering me on. I find that a great encouragement to me in my own race.
Because of the great crowd surrounding me, I need to get rid of anything in my life that hinders me. The sin that trips me up as well as weigh’s me down. This world can be so attractive. But it so quickly gets in the way, distracting me from running as I should. Running is also tiring. The temptation is great to stop and rest before the race is over. Or even to quit. But don’t stop or quit. Keep running with perseverance.
Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV
I am not a particularly good runner, although I do pretend sometimes. In the past, I have run a few marathons and half-marathons. And one thing I found that helped me a lot was to follow someone else. I would find someone just ahead who was running at the same pace. And then follow them. I might follow several different people during a race. But keeping them in sight served to keep me moving along toward the finish line.
And Hebrews encourages me to do the same thing. As I run my race, I need to keep my eyes on Jesus. He has run his race. And he knows all of the turns, the difficulties, and the potholes in the road ahead. And his direction and encouragement are invaluable in helping me cross the finish line.
Ignore the naysayers and opposition. Don’t pay any attention to those who try and distract you from your race. Or those who tell you it’s OK to slow down and not push so hard. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and run your race. Run it to win it.
Hebrews Post List
- Hebrews: An Introduction - This article gives a brief introduction into the book of Hebrews. It is the first of a series of on this sermon from a pastor to his people.
- Hebrews: The Supremacy of Christ (1:1-4) - In the prologue to Hebrews the author identifies the supremacy of Christ over the prophets and angels as well as summarizing his Christology.
- Hebrews: Superior to the Angels (1:5-14) - This passage uses seven quotes from the Old Testament to demonstrate that Christ, the Son, is superior to the angels.
- Hebrews: A Warning to Pay Attention (2:1-4) - The author of Hebrews here warns us to pay attention to the great salvation we have been given. If we do not, the danger of drifting away is great.
- Hebrews: We See Jesus, Crowned with Glory (2:5-9) - Humanity is not what God created us to be. But we see Jesus, who took on a human nature, tasted death for us, and is now crowned with glory and honor.
- Hebrews: Made Perfect Through Suffering (2:10-13) - Jesus, the author of our salvation, was made perfect, as a savior, through his suffering on the cross. The perfect lamb sacrificed for us.
- Hebrews: Jesus Is Fully Human in Every Way (2:14-18) - Jesus became fully human in every way, allowing him to defeat death and to become our perfect high priest, offering himself as our atonement.
- Hebrews: Jesus Is Greater Than Moses (3:1-6) - To one raised in Old Testament Judaism, there was no one greater than Moses. But Hebrews here affirms that Jesus is greater than Moses.
- Hebrews: Failure to Enter God’s Rest (3:7-19) - Hebrews uses Psalm 95 to demonstrate that failure to enter into God's rest is because of our disobedience and failure to remain faithful.
- Hebrews: Enter God’s Rest (4:1-11) - The promise of entering into God's rest is still open to us today. Unlike many in the past, make every effort to enter into that rest.
- Hebrews: the Active Word of God (4:12-13) - God's word is active and alive. It is not just words on a page. It is his message for us that reaches deep within us to shape our lives.
- Hebrews: Our Great High Priest (4:14-16) - Because Jesus is our great high priest, who has experienced the life we live, we can confidently come to God for his grace and mercy.
- Hebrews: Obedience Learned Through Suffering (5:1-10) - Jesus, the Son of God, learned obedience through his suffering on the cross. He knows what it is to obey the Father, even in suffering.
- Hebrews: Move Beyond Elementary Teachings (5:11-6:3) - The author's challenge to us here is to move beyond the elementary teachings of the faith. To be growing ever deeper in the truth.
- Hebrews: A Most Explicit Warning (6:4-12) - There are a number of warnings in Hebrews about falling away. But this is the most explicit of them. How should be understand there warnings.
- Hebrews: An Anchor of Hope for the Soul (6:13-20) - The promise that God made to Abraham is relevant to those of us who have come to trust in Jesus. And that hope is an anchor for our soul.
- Hebrews: The Priesthood of Melchizedek (7:1-10) - Two priesthoods are examined here. That of Melchizedek and that of Aaron. And Melchizedek's is demonstrated to be the superior one.
- Hebrews: A New Priesthood (7:11-28) - Jesus has ushered in a new priesthood. One that is after the order of Melchizedek, eternal and fully able to meet our needs.
- Hebrews: We Do Have Such a High Priest (8:1-6) - Hebrews has been building toward this point. A high priest after the order of Melchizedek is not just theory. In Jesus, it is a reality.
- Hebrews: A New Covenant (8:7-13) - The new covenant that Jeremiah foresaw has found its fulfillment in Jesus. He is the mediator of this new covenant made with us.
- Hebrews: Worship in the Tabernacle (9:1-10) - The worship in the old covenant tabernacle was a shadow of what was to come. Especially the hiddenness of the Most Holy Place.
- Hebrews: The Blood of the New Covenant (9:11-15) - The old covenant was written on tablets has been replaced with a covenant written on our hearts and inaugurated by the blood of Christ,
- Hebrews: Entering the Heavenly Sanctuary (9:16-28) - The earthly tabernacle was only a shadow of the heavenly sanctuary that Jesus entered into on our behalf, offering a perfect sacrifice.
- Hebrews: One Sacrifice for All Time (10:1-18) - Jesus sacrificed himself for us. One sacrifice that was sufficient for all time. There is now no longer any need to sacrifice for sin.
- Hebrews: Enter the Most Holy Place (10:19-39) - Because of what Jesus did for us, we can have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place with full assurance. We have been cleansed and washed.
- Hebrews: Faith in Action (11:1-31) - The 11th chapter of Hebrews is nicknamed the Hall of Faith. The author here defines faith, and then shows faith in action.
The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.
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