Pheidippides (530 BC – 490 BC) an Athenian herald, was sent to Sparta to request help when the Persians landed at Marathon, Greece. He ran 150 miles in two days. He then ran 25 miles from the battlefield near Marathon (490 BC) to Athens to announce the Greek victory over Persia in the Battle of Marathon. Once he arrived in Athens, he uttered the word Niki, which means “Victory.” Moments later he collapsed and died from exhaustion. This event inspired the present day marathon race. As Christians, we are also in race. In Hebrews 12:1-3, we are called to run the Christian race of faith. This race is not a sprint but a marathon and we must run it in such a way that we do not lose heart and faint. This truth raises a fundamental question, “How do Christians run the race of faith?” Hebrews 12:1-3 provides us with five examples that address this question.

First, Christians run the race of faith by emulating the saints that have gone before us; they are the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12:1a; 11. Second, Christians run the race of faith by laying aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily besets us, Hebrews 12:1b. An encumbrance here is viewed as a weight. No marathon runner runs in clothing that restricts or hinders his or her ability to advance. The writer uses the definite article “the” before the word sin. The implication here is that the author has a specific sin in mind. This sin is “unbelief.” These Hebrew Christians were ready to throw in the towel and return to Judaism. They were experiencing severe trials and persecution, which was hindering their ability to run. Third, he told them that they must run the race of faith with endurance, Hebrews 12:1c.  Fourth, he instructed them to run the race of faith by fixing their eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of their faith, Hebrews 12:2. In essence, He is our example of a person that completes the race of faith—making possible salvation for all men (John 3:16), but certain for those who believe (John 10:28-30). Finally, the writer encourages his readers to run the race of faith by following Jesus’ example, Hebrews 12:3. Christ stayed the course; He did not turn back from completing His race. We must do the same!

In the Hollywood blockbuster movie, “Patriot,” farmer and pacifist Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), finds himself at odds with his oldest son, Benjamin (Heath Ledger), who wants to join the continental army and fight the British. He gets his wish. His reluctant father ends up joining the fight after experiencing the tragic loss of another son at the hands of the British. As the war rages, his eldest son Benjamin is killed, and his father is devastated and removes himself from the war. While gathering his son’s Benjamin things, Martin discovers a tattered American flag that his deceased son was repairing; he pauses for a brief moment of reflection and remembers a conversation with his eldest son in which he said, “Stay the course.” He finds a new resolve and rejoins the struggle for independence. His decision to stay the course played a major role in turning a major battle that lead to a victory by the continental army over General Cornwallis of Britain and eventually the Revolutionary War.  Likewise, we are not to give up; finish the race of faith by “staying the course!”