Homilist Hebrews 12:1-2 Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight… I. THE GOOD THAT HAVE DEPARTED TO THE CELESTIAL WORLD. 1. They live. 2. They live in vast number's. "Cloud." 3. They live as spectators of their surviving brethren on earth. "Witnesses." Though with the politics, commerce, and crafts of the world they have nothing to do, they are intensely alive to its spiritual interests and activities. II. THE GOOD THAT ARE STILL LIVING ON THE EARTH. 1. Their life is like a racecourse. They both have their limitation, rules, intense activity, speedy termination. 2. Their life, to realise its end, requires great attention. (1) There must be a divestment of all encumbrances. (2) There must be a freeing oneself from besetting sin. (3) There must be the exercise of great patience of soul in our efforts, 3. Their life should be salutarily influenced by the good who have departed. "Wherefore, seeing," etc. III. THE GLORIOUS REDEEMER OF THE GOOD IN BOTH WORLDS. "Looking unto Jesus," dec. Christ is the chief example of human goodness. 1. He was pre-eminent as an example in the spirit that inspired Him. Self-oblivion. 2. Preeminent in the grandeur of soul with which He met unparalleled sufferings. 3. Pre-eminent in the exaltation which He ultimately met. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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, |
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