1. Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What do we need to endure during this race?

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

1 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,

Get in good shape to be able to keep going strong. Real athletes sacrifice a lot: no smoking and no alcohol—giving up many things. In this way Christians are always on the move. They practice their faith: reading the Bible, praying, loving God and their neighbour, and following Jesus.

If you participate in a marathon, you must dress appropriately in sport clothing. We must lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely. The word for clings so closely (euparistatos) occurs only here in the New Testement; and this specific translation refers to the fact that you do not even notice that a sin or burden is hindering you until sooner or later it makes you stumble. It can be a habit or a thought pattern. So be alert!

You should not have a lot of luggage with you or be heavily packed with a backpack. Apparently, we do carry it with us, because we have to take it off on the way. The word for laying off (apotithemi) more often refers to changing clothes as a (daily) conversion (see Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:24–25; Colossians 3:8).

The two words weight and sin represent everything that hinders us from following Jesus. Sin: throughout the letter you read about various sins: wrong desires, unbelief, greed, seeking earthly happiness. Take off the coat of disbelief—anything that distracts and seduces us so that Jesus becomes distant or is even lost out of sight. Perhaps there were also signs of laziness or indifference. After all, despite all their efforts, they still have to go the extra mile (Hebrews 12:4). Also remember the call to live a holy life in order to face God (Hebrews 12:14; Hebrews 13:4–5).

Weight: there are also weights (burdens) that are not sins in themselves: past troubles, sickness, worry, or trial. Maybe also fear, doubt, or insecurity. Those burdens can stand between you and God and hinder you from following Jesus. Put away everything that hinders you in your faith, lay those burdens on Jesus, our great High Priest, who knows our weakness, takes away our sins, and bears our needs (see Hebrews 4:14–16).