Hebrews 12: Cheering You On to Victory
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
---------
When I was a kid, star athletes did not move around much.
I thought it was because they were loyal to their home town.
It was actually because they had little legal opportunity to move.
They were practically chattel to the team owners.
Free agency was absolutely the right thing for the human rights of the players.
But they don't usually become part of hometown legend like they used to.
They seldom stay in one place long enough.
Even so, those players still win more at home than on the road.
It still makes a difference when someone is cheering for you.
Hebrews 12 says we've got the home team advantage.
The saints and ancestors of the ages are not cut off from us.
Like a huge crowd in a coliseum, they are cheering us on.
On this All Saints Sunday, we celebrate the great cloud of witnesses, cheering us on.
We're all headed for the finish line.
Today you're one step closer to victory.
And the hometown crowd is cheering you on.
---------
Take me out to the ball game
Take me out with the crowd
Let me root, root, root for the home team