Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Paul used a variety of visual images to convey his messages. Readers could picture in their memories Roman soldiers in the armor of Ephesians 6. He liked sports metaphors also. Competitive racing was used here. So I would ask you to picture in your mind’s eye the scene wherein you are about to run this race.

Do you see an Olympic stadium full of cheering crowds out to encourage athletes from their country? Do you see banners, and colors, and national identity all around you? Do you see the podium awaiting the winner, the prize of a gold medal to be won? Can you see yourself standing on the top step victorious?

Is that really the image Paul is trying to portray for Christians?

How easily it is to forget that in the previous chapter Paul was pointing to a long list of men of faith that came before us. He begins with the word wherefore here in 12:1 as a starting point to remember that long list of witnesses, not of their efforts but of God’s. There faithfulness was not in self-effort but rather in being given the opportunity to see God work in power in their lives. Each and every one of them if asked would answer, “To God be the Glory.”

Yet when we picture things thru the human experience, to relatable concepts, we drag fleshly emotions into spiritual concepts and paint the wrong image. Maybe in some sense of duty to those who went before us Paul is allowing you to hear “Make us proud.” I don’t know. That may work for some as a method of encouragement. Some need to hear the cheering crowd.

But who gets the glory in that?