“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We all want to run the Christian race well in 2020. In this passage of Scripture we are encouraged to throw off anything that will hinders us and the sins that might entangles us, so we can run with perseverance the race marked out for us. In verse two, we see three things we must consider if we want to run the race victoriously. We must consider:

1. Our Focus
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2a).

2. Our Example
“Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2b).

3. Our Hope
“And sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2c).

Let’s stand back for a moment and ask how this great text can help us in the coming year.

A. The only way to win the race is to keep your eyes on Jesus.

B. When hard times come, don’t start with your circumstances and try to find Jesus. Go to Jesus first!

C. When you feel like giving up, remember that in God’s eyes you are already a winner.

Here is good cheer for the New Year: Everything we need we will find in Christ. He has all the hope, all the love, all the grace, all the power, all the strength, all the wisdom, all the patience, all the guidance, all the encouragement, all the joy, all the endurance, all the gentleness, all the forgiveness, all the determination, all the submission, all the boldness, and all the meekness that we need. Every virtue is in him. Every good thing we need he has. And what he has, he willingly gives to us. Let no one falter in the race that is set before us. Let no one drop out because of discouragement, fear, doubt, despair, anger, or bitterness. The Lord Jesus has already run the race. He is the Captain of our Salvation and the Savior of his own body. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus in 2020 and all will be well. Amen.