We are surrounded by so many role models, in the Bible and since then through history. So following them, let’s lay aside all the heavy things so we can be productive. Jesus is the model of the perfect racer. He saw the finish line and was excited, although He also knew all it would take to get there. He endured personal hostility; we haven’t suffered anywhere close to that. Proverbs 3:11-12. God is treating us as beloved children when he disciplines us. (Discipline more in the way of training than punishment). He deserves our respect for even caring to train us. God doesn’t train us for the moment only, but also for the Big Picture. Because He loves us, because He wants to share with us. 
Training is painful but worth it. Train toward peace and holiness, because that’s how others see God. Don’t be like Esau. The Old Testament and New Testament compared again. Exodus 19 and 20. Deuteronomy 9:19. Haggai 2:6 Gratitude for a Kingdom that will not and can not be shaken. The response should be worship, reverence, and awe.
Training is painful but worth it. Train toward peace and holiness, because that’s how others see God. Don’t be like Esau. The Old Testament and New Testament compared again. Exodus 19 and 20. Deuteronomy 9:19. Haggai 2:6 Gratitude for a Kingdom that will not and can not be shaken. The response should be worship, reverence, and awe.
The people of faith in chapter 11 should inspire us to live our lives the way they did. If you read each person’s story, they weren’t perfect and neither are we. But work every day to put aside what bogs us down. For the joy before Him, He suffered both personal hostility and death. We haven’t endured hardly anything compared to that. He endured because He wanted and loved the prize. Jesus is our reward at the end of our race, and we were the reward at the end of His. 
So study Him (that’s what we are doing right??) and be like Him. The training is hard but it’s worth it. So even if we are out of shape (vs 12 and 13 
), we can do it. Anything worth it takes some trying. It is easier to look for the short cuts, especially in our instant gratification culture. But it didn’t start with just us, Esau sold his entire inheritance for a bowl of soup because he wanted his needs met right now. Don’t be like Esau. When the Old Covenant was given, it was loud and dark, booming and fiery and scary. But now, we have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly holy city, the city of the Living God. There are angels in party clothes, and all the saved are gathered. And Christ Jesus, who poured a new foundation for us, who shed His blood and purified us with it. Abel’s blood cried death, Jesus’ blood proclaims a better word— “life”.
So study Him (that’s what we are doing right??) and be like Him. The training is hard but it’s worth it. So even if we are out of shape (vs 12 and 13 ), we can do it. Anything worth it takes some trying. It is easier to look for the short cuts, especially in our instant gratification culture. But it didn’t start with just us, Esau sold his entire inheritance for a bowl of soup because he wanted his needs met right now. Don’t be like Esau. When the Old Covenant was given, it was loud and dark, booming and fiery and scary. But now, we have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly holy city, the city of the Living God. There are angels in party clothes, and all the saved are gathered. And Christ Jesus, who poured a new foundation for us, who shed His blood and purified us with it. Abel’s blood cried death, Jesus’ blood proclaims a better word— “life”.
This chapter changes me by giving me a pattern and a goal. Jesus laid out the course, and my job is to stay on His path. For His glory, for my good, and for the testimony to those around me. I am changed by Jesus, who looked past His own death and saw me,and all the others, at the end, struggling underneath the weight of sin that we chose. He counted the cost and said “You’re worth it”. With reverence and awe, I want to look past any weight and sin that is so hard to shake, see Jesus as my reward, and say to Him “so are You.”
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