15 Apr Heroes…why not you? (Hebrews 12:1-3) Part 7
Several years ago, my wife and I were on vacation and we were walking with my parents. We were simply minding our own business just walking and talking, and had traversed down the beach farther than we normally do. Suddenly we heard cries for help off in the distance. Approximately 75 yards out in the ocean there was what looked to be a young boy who had swam out too far and was drowning. There were very few people around and certainly no lifeguards, so it was up to me to rescue this person. Over twenty five years ago I had been a lifeguard, but that was over twenty five years ago! So as I swam towards the person I was trying to remember my lifeguard training. The first thing they tell you is to calm the victim because a panicked victim will grab the rescuer and a double drowning can occur!
As I approached, to my chagrin, what had looked like a young boy was actually a woman who had to weigh over 300 pounds. She had swum out too far and was now exhausted and couldn’t make her way back. After I had cautiously approached her and calmed her, I began to swim her back to shore. By the time I dragged her the 75 yards into shore, I was a bit tired. As I was regaining my breath this woman simply walked off without even a “thank you” or the slightest glance in my direction! From this scenario the Lord gave me a clear picture of what ministry is all about. Heroic men and women of God do what we do because we love God and love people…not for the “thank you’s”.
Jesus, the ultimate Hero, understood this more than anyone when only one in ten lepers He healed returned to say “thank you” (see Luke 17:12-19). The Bible tells us, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb. 12:1-3).
Over the last number of weeks we’ve discussed that these verses in everyday language give us three things to consider:
- Consider them (the Hebrews 11 heroes of the Old Testament)!
- Consider Him (our Ultimate Hero…Jesus Christ)!
- Consider yourself (incorporate heroic qualities from their lives into ours)!
Next week, we’ll continue our series.