The NIV 365 Day Devotional

Jesus: The One Who Endured

Consider this admonition from the author of Hebrews: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb 12:1).

Had golf existed in the New Testament era, I’m sure the writers would have spoken of mulligans and foot wedges, but it didn’t, so they wrote about running. The word race is from the Greek agon, from which we get the word agony. The Christian’s race is not a jog but rather a demanding and grueling, sometimes agonizing race. It takes a massive effort to finish strong.

Likely you’ve noticed that many don’t? Surely you’ve observed there are many on the side of the trail? They used to be running. There was a time when they kept the pace. But then weariness set in. They didn’t think the run would be this tough. Or they were discouraged by a bump and daunted by a fellow runner. Whatever the reason, they don’t run anymore. They may be Christians. They may come to church. They may put a buck in the plate and warm a pew, but their hearts aren’t in the race. They retired before their time. Unless something changes, their best work will have been their first work, and they will finish with a whimper.

By contrast, Jesus’ best work was his final work, and his strongest step was his last step. Our Master is the classic example of one who endured. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say that Jesus “endured such opposition from sinners” (12:3). The Bible says Jesus “endured,” implying that Jesus could have let go. The runner could have given up, sat down, gone home. He could have quit the race. But he didn’t. He “endured such opposition from sinners” against himself.

Taken from the NIV Lucado Encouraging Word Bible.