Endurance (Part 4)―Considering
Christ
Some of the most critical times in our lives are
periods of consideration before points of decision. The standout
high school athlete with five Division 1 college scholarship offers
on the table will consider all options carefully before making a
commitment. In better times, the college graduate with three
standing job offers from Fortune 500 companies would carefully
consider salary, benefits and work environment before choosing an
employer. In the race called the Christian life, the disciple who
runs is encouraged to consider Jesus, the Author and Finisher of
faith, as the model for endurance (Hebrews 12:1-3).
The context has to do with the race that is set
before us, of which it is said that we should “run with patience”
(12:1). The text contains an exercise in redundancy for effect. The
words “patience” (with respect to running), “endured” (with respect
to the Cross), and “endured” (with respect to the contradiction of
sinners) all come from the same Greek root. The noun “patience” is
hupomone, “an abiding or remaining under.” The verb “endured” is
hupomeno, “to abide or remain under.”
The word paints the picture of persistence,
perseverance. It signifies God placing upon the shoulders of his
people the burdens agreeable to his will and purpose. Our job is to
stay under the load, continue to bear it, and persist and persevere
when circumstances might dictate we jettison the burden and walk an
easier, less arduous path. If the believer needs one or more points
of reference as motivation, the writer offers (1) the cross that
Jesus endured for our transgressions and (2) the contradictions of
sinners he endured to get to that Hill of incalculable suffering.
What more should a believer need in terms of example in order to
endure the rigors of the race?
The verb tenses are instructive. When the writer says
Jesus ‘endured’ the cross, he uses the aorist. When he says that
Jesus ‘endured’ the contradictions of sinners against himself, he
uses a perfect active participle. The use of active voice instead of
passive portrays Jesus as a champion (one who actively took on his
antagonists) instead of a victim (one forced to endure the
contradictions). Expanded translation: “Having persevered through
three years of locking horns with sinners with the result that he
endured them to the very end, he finally endured that one last
comprehensive act of suffering on behalf of the very sinners that
opposed him.” Now that is endurance with an exclamation point!
These images in the forefront of our thinking are
intended to be motivators to keep us focused upon the race at hand.
Mental focus of this sort can serve either as preventive medicine or
an antidote for weariness and faintness of mind that can weigh us
down. If you and I run long and hard enough, it will likely serve as
both!
What does it mean to consider Jesus? The verb
“consider” is analogizomai. It’s the prefix ana (“above, over”) and
the root logizomai (“to think, ponder”). Our word “logic” comes from
this root. It means to think something over, ponder it, to make it
an integral part of our thinking process. The noun “contradiction”
is antilogia. It’s the prefix anti (“against”) together with
logia
(“mental processes”). It means to have a mindset contrary to
another, thus creating rebellion, strife. It means to gainsay
(deny). Rebellion raises its ugly head whenever a subordinate
develops a mindset that contradicts that of his superior. The
scribes, Pharisees and religious elites crucified the Lord Jesus
because they saw in him a superior authority whose thinking they
chose to reject.
There is a subtle play on words between ‘consider’
(the mindset of believers toward Jesus) and ‘contradiction’ (the
mindset of sinners toward Jesus). They have a common root, but
prefixes that make them exact opposites. Thus Paul said: “the carnal
mind is at enmity [warfare] with God; for it is not subject to the
law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). And James: “Ye
adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the
world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of
the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). Friends are friends
because they share a commonality of thinking. Friendships typically
disintegrate when a change in the thinking of either party makes a
continued close association impossible.
Christian runners who consider Jesus as a pattern in
their thinking will likely endure the same contradictions that Jesus
endured. It’s not something for which they must strive. It’s just
that the consistent godliness of life that the considering of Christ
creates will, by its very nature, create the requisite friction and
resultant contradiction.
There are three good
reasons for considering Jesus. First, it’s a reality check. The
opposition he faced is exactly the kind we can expect if we walk in
a godly manner. He is our motivation to keep on running! Second, it
breeds a spirit of worship. Reflections on his steadfast love cause
us to look upon him in awesome wonder. Third, it is therapeutic.
Weariness and faintness of soul are the potential pitfalls that our
consideration of Jesus are designed to prevent. The considering of
Christ is a win-win. It gives glory to him…and grit to us!
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