Our text for today is Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
This verse contains a great life lesson for us. It tells us we all need some “Therefore People.” They are the people we look to show us that we too can overcome.
Let me illustrate this with the stories of Roger Bannister and Edmund Hillary.
Stories are told that people tried for over a thousand years run a mile in less than four minutes. Experts said it was impossible. Finally in 1954 Roger Bannister ran the mile in 3:56. As of June 2022, the “four-minute barrier” has been broken by 1,755 athletes.
In 1953, Edmund Hillary climbed to the top of Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain on earth. Before him no one was ever able to climb it. After he reached the top, In the same decade, there were four more climbs that reached the top. Since then more than 1,200 people have climbed to the top of Mt. Everest.
Roger Bannister and Edmund Hillary both became “Therefore People.” They were those who inspired others to do what seemed to be impossible.
Look at our text again an you will note that it starts with “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” This is a reference to the people listed in Hebrews 11 – Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah and others. Hebrews 12:1 is using these people to say to us, “See, that did and so can you.”
The poet said, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one anyday. I’d rather one would walk with me than merely point the way.”
We need someone who has walked the path before us to show us that it can be done. We all need “Therefore People.”
Who are your special “Therefore People?”
Lonnie Davis.