Webpage for Daniel Rivera: High School teacher and Data Analysis student.
Written on August 18, 2021
As Christians, we are called to "run" in a "race" serveral times in the New Testament. In this post, we will see how this analogy is used and how we can apply it.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
"The race" is an analogy that is used several times in the Bible. Why was this analogy used? If we look back and consider the culture of Ancient Rome, the local entertainment was displayed in colliseums for many to see. In fact, one of the most popular events in colliseums were chariot races. There will be multiple factions denoted by color (traditionally white, red, green, blue), with up to three chariots per team. Each chariot contained one pilot with typically four horses, or sometimes six or two. The chariots will then break out of a starting gate and each chariot will try to run at maximum speed to the finish line.
The main reason why this event attracted over 200,000 people per session is because of the sport's inherit danger. There were not many rules in a chariot race, so it was perfectly legal to whip other racers during the course of the seven laps around the field. Many of the chariots crashed into each other, and the Romans used the term "shipwreck" to describe it.
Even if they have been exposed to the sport of chariot racing, I doubt the authors of the Bible intended for "the race" to be referrencing chariot racing. Chariot racing is violent and dangerous, but the same can be said about the attacks the enemy has planned against God's people. Even if the chariot analogy might seem gruesome and violent, the analogies still are valid and useful in Christian life. Hebrews 12 calls us to "remove every obstacle [sin] that slows us down", to "run with endurance in the race that God has set before us", and to "keep our eyes on Jesus". 1 Corinthians 9 tells us that "all the runners run, but only one gets a prize", and we must go and have spiritual training for the spiritual race to "get a crown that will last forever [a reward for serving Christ, not salvation through works]". Apostle Paul declares that he "finished the race, and kept the faith" near his death in 2 Timothy 4:7.
Ultimatley, the race is an analogy for spiritual perserverance. Things may get tough, we might suffer persecution, and our own sins may trip us up from our devotion to our lord and savior. We must run this race with endurance, so we can see our Father in Heaven and enjoy all the good things he has promised us. Isaiah 40:31 states that the "LORD will renew their strength... and they will run and not grow weary." Our Father is merciful and will always provide strength in any times of trouble, and is most certainly cheering for us as we run the race.