A Great Cloud of Witnesses

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     Have you ever had to sit in the "nose-bleed" section of a stadium?  That means you are in one of the topmost seating sections.  Depending on the stadium, it can be so high that you get light-headed if you look down! 

    I learned something recently about the first part of Hebrews 12:1  and wanted to share with you today! Let's look at the Hebrews 12:1-2:

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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. 

    What I learned is that that "cloud of witnesses" is picturing the highest seats in the stadium.  In Greek history, what we commonly call the "nose-bleed section" was called "in the clouds." It simply meant your seat was at the highest point of the stadium. 

    The picture in Hebrews 12:1 is that the stadium is packed to the top-most section with such great examples of faith. Hebrews 11 lays out example after example from the Old Testament, but there are even more wonderful examples for us build our faith.  Throughout history, there are so many true stories of great Christians who have shown us their faith.  

    Growing up, my parents encouraged me to read biographies of many of these great Christians.  Sometimes they were read aloud to us during family times, sometimes I read them myself.  As the years go by and I face times of testing, my faith is strengthened when I recall the faith of men like George Muller or Jim Elliot, or women such as Gladys Aylward and Amy Carmichael.  John and Betty Stam, Eric Liddell, and Hudson Taylor all lived a faith in Jesus that I pray I would have if faced with similar circumstances.  

    As we think of Hebrews 12:1, the picture is that we have all of these witnesses of the faith surrounding us and encouraging us to look to Jesus.  Together, we are all fixing our eyes on The One who walked this route before us and knows our every weakness.  These witnesses, packing the grandstands and filling the stadium "to the clouds" are there to strengthen our faith, to stand with us in the fray, and keep our focus to Jesus.  What a picture!! We can stand shoulder to shoulder with Noah, Abraham, Gideon, and Rahab.  The martyrs, of whom this world is not worthy, like Stephen, Peter and Polycarp are packed in right around us and their faith bolsters us to remain faithful as we finish the race set before us.  The whole time, they continually remind us to not lose sight of Jesus.  

    I pray this encourages you in your walk today.  I also encourage you to learn about the lives of these great Christians. Their lives and experiences can be tools to point you to Jesus and strengthen your faith.  You are not alone.  You are surrounded by a stadium full of  the greatest witnesses (filled to the clouds) who are packed in around you as you keep your eyes on Him. 

💓Heather Sparks💓


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