Quote from Forum Archives on April 8, 2002, 12:05 pm

Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>

MORE THAN SURVIVORS #10/10
STAND FIRM - KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING
April 7, 2002

TEXT: Hebrews 12:1-29

Albert Einstein is a name long associated with genius. We still stand in
awe over his abilities to make new inroads into the field of theoretical
physics. Yet, not every aspect of Dr. Einstein’s life was indicative of
that remarkable level of genius we remember him for. Billy Graham, in
fact, talks of one such account. Albert Einstein was going on a train to
an out-of-town engagement. The conductor stopped to punch his ticket. The
great scientist, preoccupied with his work, rummaged through his coat
pockets and briefcase to no avail. Embarrassingly, he could not find his
ticket. The conductor graciously declared, “We all know who you are, Dr.
Einstein. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it. Everything
is okay.” The conductor walked on down the aisle punching other tickets.
Before he moved to the next car he looked back and saw Dr. Einstein down
on his hands and knees looking under his seat trying to find his ticket.
He came back and said, “Dr. Einstein, please don’t worry about it. I know
who you are.” At which the great Einstein looked up and said, “I, too,
know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”
Well, it is humorous when remarkably great people run into situations
like we might face on any given day. Regardless of how famous, how
popular, even how powerful a person is, people are people. And we run
into human happenings that are sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes
victorious, and sometimes devastating. But the saddest thing that can
happen to any person who has made a faith commitment to Jesus Christ for
salvation is to, like Albert Einstein, forget where he or she is going.
Such a troubling event is hardly new, though. When we peered back onto
the lives of the Israelites led from bondage in Egypt, such as we did in
our last Maundy Thursday service, we discover that they frequently forgot
where they were going. Without the Lord’s provision, they would have gone
nowhere and accomplished nothing.
Throughout the New Testament, following the victory of Jesus Christ over
sin and the grave, there are testimonies of remarkable faith and courage
in the face of overwhelming odds. Yet, people are people, and there were
still those who lost sight of where they were going. One purposes of the
book of Hebrews is to address this very issue.
The writer of Hebrews begins this part with an illustration from a
sporting event. Apparently, people paid attention to sports back then,
too. He seats us in an athletic stadium to watch the race. Around us in
the stands are those who have already finished the human race. They are
more than survivors. They are victors wearing a crown of accomplishment.
These who have finished their marathon of life look on at those still on
the track. They stand. They cheer. They call out to those who are
exhausted and tempted to quit to maintain their stride.
In the VIP box is one we can readily recognize. He is smiling. He is
cheering. He is motioning. As he waves his hands to inspire the runners,
you can see the nail prints. Yes, it’s Jesus. The writer calls him the
author and perfecter of our faith. In other words, this one who has
already finished his unique race of faith has given us an example to
follow. An example that will see us through to the end (if we let it). An
example of one who legged out his faithfulness in spite of the hurdles he
had to face, because of the finish line. A finish line at which he now
waits for those who would keep running.
Those who are more than survivors fix their eyes on eternity with Jesus.
He is the one on whom we are to keep our focus. Now the author of Hebrews
was writing for a very good reason: to encourage Christians who were
facing very troubling times. The primary recipients of the letter were
probably Jews in the Roman world, quite possibly in Jerusalem. They were
not new believers, but were struggling in their faith and beginning to
weaken, for the writer exhorts, “though by this time you ought to be
teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s
word all over again” (5:12).
Because of growing persecution, as evidenced in chapter 10 and following
chapters, some of these believers were tempted to abandon their identity
with Christ or change their beliefs to relieve the pressure. Others were
unbelieving Jews in two categories: those who intellectually believed the
claims of Christ without authentic saving faith, and those who had heard
the gospel but had not made any commitment.
The writer emphasizes the superiority of Christ over “the blood of bulls
and goats” (9:13) by presenting him as the perfect priest and sacrifice
sufficient for all time, therefore negating the need for animal
sacrifice. Hebrews presents a series of contrasts between the good but
incomplete provisions of the Old Covenant and the “better” and perfect
assurances of the New. Christ is presented as not just better but an
incomparably greater sacrifice for sin.
In light of the pressures which the believers faced, chapter 12 is in
part a call for the believers to fix their eyes upon Christ and follow
his example of endurance. They were to consider Jesus’ suffering for them
as they faced temptation to turn their backs on the faith. One of the
five warnings in Hebrews occurs in this chapter — against failing to lay
hold of God’s grace and refusing to heed God’s voice (15–17; 25–29).
This chapter also contrasts Mount Sinai with Mount Zion. Sinai is
traditionally located in the Sinai Peninsula. It conveys images of a
literal mountain with smoke and fire, stern warnings from God, and sharp
punishment for disobedience. On Sinai, the Law was given by God through
Moses and the avoidance of sin required. Zion, a hill beside ancient
Jerusalem, is first mentioned in connection with the conquest of
Jerusalem by David — “stronghold of Zion” (2 Sam. 5:6–10; 1 Chron.
11:4–9). The expression “City of David” was eventually substituted for
Zion (1 Kings 8:1; 2 Chron. 5:2). These verses describe the Ark of the
Covenant as it is relocated from the City of David (Zion) to the temple.
This action may explain why the name Zion became connected with the
temple area as well (cf. Ps. 2:6; 132:13). In other Scriptures, Zion is
equated with Jerusalem, the religious capital (Isa. 51:11), the people of
Jerusalem (Ps. 97:8), and the place where Messiah will appear (Rev.
14:1).
The non-literal Zion symbolizes the heavenly city of God, with its joyful
worship without condemnation. It encompasses, among other things, the
“sprinkled blood” of Jesus “that speaks a better word than the blood of
Abel” (24). Those who dwell with Christ on Mount Zion fix their eyes upon
him as they abide in the New Covenant as aliens in this world. As
citizens of another, and better, heavenly country, they also eye the
prize of eternity with Christ.
So, are you growing weary? Look to Jesus, the author and perfector of our
faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him
who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow
weary and lose heart.
In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis wrote, “If you read history, you will
find the Christians who did most for the present world were just those
who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot
the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle
Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, all left
their mark on Earth precisely because their minds were occupied with
heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other
world that they have become so ineffective in this.” And then he adds a
finishing touch: “Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at
earth and you will get neither.” (quoted by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 50-Day
Spiritual Adventure Pastor’s Manual, Wheaton: Mainstay Resources, 2001,
p. B225).
If you have ever visited the National Archives Building in Washington, D.
C., you may have noticed the slogan engraved in marble at the foot of the
steps that leads to the Declaration of Independence and the U. S.
Constitution. It reads, “The heritage of the past is the seed that brings
forth the harvest of the future.” Once a foreign tourist was passing
through the nation’s capital. The taxi in which he was riding stopped at
the intersection in front of the National Archives. He read the slogan
out loud and then asked the cab driver if he could explain what it meant.
The Jamaican cabby, with only a junior high education, responded: “Man,
I’m not really sure. But I thinks it means you ain’t seen nothing yet!”
(Greg Asimakoupoulos, 50-Day Spiritual Adventure Pastor’s Manual,
Wheaton: Mainstay Resources, 2001, p. B225).
It can be, as Albert Einstein illustrated, disconcerting to not know
where you’re going. For Christians, though, we never need to be thrown
into this kind of confusion. We need never lose our tickets. When we
witness baptisms and share in communion services, we are reminded to
stand firm because we know where we’re going.

Rev. Charles A. Layne, pastor, First Baptist Church, Bunker Hill, IN

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