Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 11: 39-12: 2, NRSV.
Heavenly Father, our prayer is that as we meet around Your Word to study, Your blessed Holy Spirit will come and teach us Your will. This is our prayer in the blessed name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
You will remember when we began this series we made mention of the inductees in Faith’s Hall of Fame. Some of them were mentioned by name, while we recognized others by their deeds. Today, we will go to our Scripture that has served as the background to this series, and unpack some of the messages that are found therein. I will divide it into at least two parts. We will look at the first part of the text today: “Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.”
All of these giants of faith, died believing in God’s promise. The Scripture is clear that they had been promised something! If we retrace our steps a few verses, toward the center of the chapter we will come upon this gem, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (13-16). Hallelujah!
Maybe now it makes more sense why we do not live according to the norms of this world. Maybe now it is clearer why sometimes the things we believe are in conflict with the way things are done in the world! Perhaps we can better understand why sometimes the “powers that be” do not understand why they cannot convince us to do certain things. The reason is, that we are in the world as “aliens and strangers on earth.” We are here to fulfill a purpose – to be salt in a world that is suffering from moral decay. To shed the light of the gospel to dispel the gross darkness of sin and deception that has engulfed the world. To tell all people everywhere that they have a Savior who loves them so much that He gave His life as a ransom for their souls! To make sure that no one comes to the end of his or her days without hope of a better tomorrow!
This homecoming that is prepared for the people of God is so special that the Father wanted all of His children to enjoy it together. Therefore, He equipped us all with sufficient faith for the journey (Romans 12: 3). “All these people were still living by faith when they died.” The promise is: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Their crown of life awaits them on that final day! And so does ours! A point of special interest, is that all who embark on this journey choose to do it: “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.” We are not coerced into taking the journey. At any point we can turn back, and unfortunately, some have gone back to the world “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4: 10); “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6: 66). But Peter has spoken on behalf of many of us. Listen to this conversation between him and the Savior: ”
Jesus: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (67-69).
I say Amen to that! What is your response to the Savior?