CHRISTIAN LIFE MARATHON

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed (Hebrews 12:1-13).

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Col. 1:2) Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters, almost twenty years ago on a sunny summer day I was in the army. Our group was landed at a training field. We had to quickly pass about 25 kilometers to get to our object. We had to run and walk quickly. It was pleasant to run in the beginning since it was not very comfortable to spend a few hours in a helicopter because of speed, fuel exhaust, heat and up and downs in the mountains. But as we ran, we began to sweat. Some time elapsed and I had a desire to get rid not of weapon with ammunition only, but also of clothes and food. It was very hot. We were thirsty. But older friends recommended avoid drinking except mouth-washing. We were following our commander's instructions and soon we came to the object. Our losses were minimal. One soldier who had appendicitis attack was evacuated by helicopter called by radio from our base. Nevertheless the distance was covered very successfully and we could continue to fulfill our military task.

Our Bible text for today also talks about covering distance, a race. It's not 25-kilometers march. It's not even 40 and so kilometers marathon. Our Lord Holy Spirit tells about Christian life marathon. This marathon began when the Holy Spirit has kindled through the Gospel our saving Christian faith.

The Lord Holy Spirit says we have many witnesses whose life and faith can teach us to successfully win in this great race, as it is written, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." As younger soldiers follow the example of their more experienced comrades, so we are invited to follow examples of the great saints both from the Old and the New Testaments. They were justified by faith. They believed in the Messiah. They prayed to God. They listened to the Word of God and meditated on it. They were with God. They kept their eyes on the Messiah.

Our Bible text further says about reason to success. It does not say that we should fix our eyes on saints, however great they could be, on angels or icons. The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. For only Jesus Christ is "the author and finisher of our faith."

Jesus is the author of our faith. He is the reason of our faith. He initiates our faith, not we. He also finishes our faith. Jesus and only Him, "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." He humiliated Himself for our sake. He suffered Golgotha for our sake. He made it so all our sins be forgiven. He made everything for us to enjoy the Kingdom of God. He rose back to life on the third day and He ascended into heaven. And He gives us strength to successfully finish marathon of our earthly life, despite of how many hours or days or years it will last. When we look at Jesus solely then our future is in heaven.

The Holy Spirit tells us today, "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." We will suffer in this world. But Jesus never promised an easy way of life in this world. He never promises, He never guarantees riches, strong health and successful career for His faithful Christians. On the contrary, to those who believe in Him sincerely, He says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mt. 16:24). Christian life marathon is his travel in faith to the resurrection of the dead, it is a travel under cross.

Someone may say, "But how long should I suffer? I am tired of my illness. And I am tired of my family problems. And I am tired of problems at my job. And I am persecuted for the truth." As soldiers on a hot sunny day on a march we would like to get rid of all these "unnecessary" burdens, would not we?

But this is what the Holy Spirit says, "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."

Interesting words! If we are sons of God and not bastards, that is children of other gods, then we will necessarily have problems. We will have cross on our shoulders. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. The Lord allows different problems into our life to make us stronger, to bring us back to faith. Our illnesses and all our problems are like training instruments for sportsmen to make their bodies even stronger. They turn us back to our Savior. Oh, what a good coach is the Lord! And He will not give you more training burdens than you can sustain, as it is written, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13). All our troubles turn us back to Christ. For only Christ is our strength, is our refuge, our comfort and love that conquers everything. And loving God through His Gospel renews our vision of His Kingdom instead of principalities of this world.

So, when we are in trouble, when we are despised or ill, let us do what the Lord Holy Spirit says, "lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." In other words: Turn to Christ, read and listen to His Word, run to the Holy Supper for it is there God for the sake of Jesus lifts your hands and feeble knees of faith and will make you roads straight. He will announce His forgiveness of all your sins and will give you His forgiveness in the true body and blood of Jesus Christ. He will renew your beacon in your life and He will turn your marathon path from the lame and twisted ways of the world, sin and devil to the Way, Truth and Life. He will reassure you once again and again of His mercy and love shown to us in Christ Jesus.

Dear brothers and sisters, army marches have taught me to treasure learning and knowledge that there will be an honorable rest at the end of the march. I have also learned it is not good to be tempted to drink water or just give up. The Word of God teaches us today even greater, far superior truth: at our Christian life marathon look always at Jesus Christ and be strengthened by Him only. For are not bastards loved by this sinful world. No. We are children of God. We became participants of God's holiness in Christ. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." And the Lord Himself will greet us not just with His Word and Sacrament at the end of this marathon but with crowns of His dear champions, as it is written, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12). Lord, give us strength! Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Grace be with you. Amen. (Col. 1:18).