A Great Cloud of Witnesses

by the Revd Canon Dr William Lamb

“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.”

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews compares the Christian life to the role of an athlete, running in a stadium, while the saints cheer on as witnesses to the great spectacle of the race. The New Testament is written in Greek and we should perhaps not be surprised to find metaphors and images drawn from Greek culture and the language of athletics. Paul the Apostle uses a number of athletic metaphors in his writings (Philippians 2.16, Galatians 2.2 and Galatians 5.7, 1 Corinthians 9.24-27).

The Greek word used in Hebrews to describe ’the race’ is the word agon, which perhaps more properly refers to the idea of a contest or a struggle. It speaks of the exertions and self-denial associated with the training of an athlete, and it is perhaps employing the term metaphorically to speka of the ethical struggle involved in leading a life of virtue. This was a familiar trope in pagan literature, and it was also used by the first century Jewish philosopher, Philo of Alexandria, to describe obedience to the Law of Moses. But the idea of struggle might lead the reader to conclude that divine grace is in short supply, the believer must work out their own salvation with a combination of dogged determination and perseverance. But this perhaps misses the point.

Like many New Testament writers, Paul knew from first hand experience the struggle to be faithful, often in the face of persecution, and he knew that grace did not come cheap. He recognised that the gospel makes demands of us. We are called to cultivate lives of holiness and virtue, to care about the truth, to protect those who are most vulnerable, to stand firm for what is right. We may risk criticism, even public opprobrium, for being willing to bear witness to the reversal of worldly standards in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Of course, we cannot do any of this without the power of God’s grace. Grace is like the air we breathe. But if we are to be equipped to run the race set before us, we need to get ourselves into training, to breathe deeply and draw on the depths of God’s grace. As we watch the Olympics over the next few days, we will celebrate the achievements of many athletes. We will marvel at their devotion and sacrifice, their skill and training. But like Paul, we may also recognise the parallels with the Christian life as we run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.