The Christian life is described in terms of a race by the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews (12:1-4). It is less like a sprint and more like a marathon. It is a lifelong race that requires endurance. The Christian’s race does not end until he dies or Jesus comes. “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:36-37). In fact, the saints memorialized in chapter 11 are the cloud of witnesses who all died in faith – they endured to the end (11:13, 12:1). They do not watch over us or witness our race, but are witnesses to the fact that the race can be, with God’s help, successfully finished. They are faithful examples who completed the race of faith enduring great difficulties and opposition.
Our greatest example, the One to Whom we should constantly look to for encouragement is Jesus Who is the author and finisher of our faith. He endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus perfectly finished His race and will help us successfully and faithfully finish ours. He stands ready to give us all the help we need to hold fast our confession of faith, and to resist temptation (Heb.4:14-16). What a promise is given to us as we endure as He did, to the end. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).