Hebrews 12 reminds me of the rating system for hiking trails. This common guideline is used to gage difficulty. It ranges from Easy, to Strenuous, depending on distance and elevation change. It can provide invaluable information for preparation. Today’s lesson is about choosing the right mountain. After establishing that every esteemed person in Jewish history acted in faith, the writer begins, “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders”. It is necessary to remove bulky things that slow us down so that we can “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. His Jewish brethren struggled under layers of inflexible rules that exposed the problem. We will all fail under the weight of legalism. The more we carry, the harder the climb becomes. He notes that this new path is easy. We stay on course by “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith”. The writer adds an amazing statement; Jesus blazed the trail: “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross”. Not for the scenery and not the adrenalin rush. He took our shame so that we could join Him at the top. He carries the entire weight of our sin. He “endured such opposition… so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”. When we pause to ponder His great love for us, we are restored. Gratitude produces an enthusiastic desire to help others.
Next the writer provides a stunning view on difficult terrain. Quoting from Proverbs 3, he addresses the “Lord’s discipline” by saying: “do not lose heart when He rebukes you”. He explains, “the Lord disciplines the one He loves”. Correcting a child is not easy, or enjoyable for a parent. It is often necessary to block a path to prevent a serious fall. His message for believers is to “Endure hardship as discipline”. He explains, “we have… human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it”. Maturity teaches us that “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but… later on… it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”. He indicates we all have the handicap of sin, but by His Spirit, God will “Make level paths for your feet”. The more we walk together with Him, the more He will “strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees”.
The writer tells us how we are to behave while on this earthly trail. “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy”. That is tougher than it sounds. It can be difficult to honor God while not offending someone. He adds an important reason to be careful: “that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile”. This world is focused on differences and divisions. People become entrenched and then communication ceases. He uses the example of Esau; we can trade away a lifetime reputation to win a foolish argument. Humility focuses on others. He concludes the chapter with a healthy fear of heights. He tells believers today that we don’t “come to a mountain that can be touched… to darkness, gloom and storm”. He is describing Mount Sinai, the mountain where Moses received the Law. It was so terrifying that Moses himself was “trembling with fear”. He says “you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God”. Here we find “God, the Judge”, but we also have “Jesus the mediator of a new covenant”. Getting lost on a trail is not fun. An experienced guide offers hope. Please understand that God’s nature does not change. God will judge sin: “I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens”. That is why he adds, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks… from heaven”. Because we have a Savior, “let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe”. My friend, we can take the easy path of God’s grace, or the strenuous path of legalism. Which trail will you choose?