Professor Boaz: Running with JesusSample

The Faithfulness of the Lead Runner, Jesus

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."(Hebrews 10:23)

When I begin a marathon race, I view the race with a great amount of respect. It is a marathon. It is estimated that for every 1,000 runners who register, and perhaps train, 820 of them start the marathon. Of these about 650 will finish. This means 35% of the registrants and 20% of the starters do not finish. 

One of my colleagues, heads the medical tents at the Chicago Marathon. He is a very busy person. He, and his team have to attend to so many injuries during the course of the marathon, and at the end. He always tells me, “Boaz, run well. Run hard. Finish strong. But, I do not want to see you in my tent.” Of course he is joking! He usually adds, “Well I have not seen you in my medical tent in the past, and I do not expect to see you at the end of this marathon!” Joking aside, he is right. He sees many, many athletes at the end of the Chicago Marathon. I try to always keep this in mind, when I begin a marathon. 

Thankfully, I have the lead runner, the pace setter, with me, running right beside me. The lead runner makes sure that I am well during the long, 26.2 miles. 

This is the lesson our verse underlines. In this marathon called life, Jesus the great lead runner is always faithful to us. Sure, it is a marathon, and there are many moments of discouragement and despair. But, one thing we can always be mindful of is this,  the great marathon runner will always be faithful to us. Among His last words to His disciples, the Risen Lord said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the race.” (Matthew 28: 20)

Praise:

Oh Great Marathon Runner, Jesus, my Pace Setter, thank you for your faithfulness to me in this marathon run of life.