Hebrews 12:3–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

Posted by Seth on Sep 28, 2009 in Bible Study, Daily Devotions |

Hebrews 12:3–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

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Welcome to today’s Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation covering Hebrews 12:3, through which we are reminded to consider Jesus when we face challenges from others.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Even though we use phrases like, “I can’t emphasize this enough” and “I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again” to give strength to an idea we think is worth people giving attention to, it’s probably true that almost anything has the eventual potential to be overemphasized and lose something in the area of effectiveness. But a great exception to this rule is the call to consider Jesus, to bring Him to mind whether through the voicing of His name or the quiet meditation of Him in our hearts. Consider Him; I can’t emphasize this enough, and neither could the author of Hebrews.

This verse follows the more popular “running the race set before us” verses before it and should not be separated from them as we consider the meaning of verse 3. For as much as we are called to action, we must remember the reason and motivation for such. If the running itself becomes our end, we will end up grow[ing] weary or fainthearted, the very things we are helped by Christ to avoid. Opposition rises up, fog settles within the space between the “joy set before” us that Jesus had in His sight and our current position, and the responsibilities of today get us downright tuckered out. But Jesus, who walked before us with complete and perfect success, overcame more than we will ever face, from close, personal interaction with Satan himself to a cross he could have dismissed with a word. Consider Him! Now, what does that look like? I believe it means that when fear, doubt, depression, anxiety, etc. begins to worm their way into our souls, we set our hearts on our Hero. We remember that there is nothing too large that His grace won’t see us through. We acknowledge that the mostly godly of friends, who can indeed be of great help, are lesser counselors. We believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). We trust that if we have placed our faith in the Lord, Christ is in us, our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Now that is something to dwell on as we would consider Jesus; we consider One who is in us! The One who conquered and lives forever is the same who makes His dwelling in His children. An enormous obstacle during any challenge from accusers is the sense that one is alone, but this verse, when recalled, brings great courage to the soul! “I know the victorious Christ” can be our heart’s song.

It seems there are a few main choices that we have when people come against us. We can withdraw, no longer living as witnesses of Jesus before that crowd. We can become more like our opposition and less like Christ. We can become angry and argumentative. Or we can stay the course, continuing to show the love of Christ, keeping our minds fixed upon Him…considering Him…reacting like He did. What will be our next reaction when for our King we suffer in any measure? Consider Jesus.

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