The writer of Hebrews paints a picture of faith as a life race. He demonstrates that Jesus is the one we run to in this race, making Him our goal. Also He sees Him as the Founder and Perfecter of our faith. The way He handled life in this world founded our faith; the way He lived it perfected the meaning of faith. This means that we are to look to Him, not only as our goal, but as our inspiration. The faith of Jesus is really the faithfulness of Jesus, the way He carried out His mission in the world. Faithfulness is made by mixing faith with perseverance. The message being, we must run our race the way He ran His. Live by the faith of Jesus; His faithfulness is the ground of your faith. Follow the perseverance of Jesus; follow His manner of endurance. His going the distance for you is what inspires you to go the distance for Him.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
