Holiness Highway – Hebrews 12:12-17

The author of Hebrews extends his race analogy building upon his descriptive metaphor with scriptural references reinforcing the concept. He employs witnesses from Old Testament history to emphasize the sobering necessity of endurance in the Christian life which charts its path of gospel living on the way of holiness. His admonition calls attention to our application of his words with respect to ourselves, others, and our relationship to the Lord. His appeal is highlighted with poetic beauty and theological genius as he draws from theme-rich material in prior revelation to underscore his closing applications to the church among the Hebrews. Surely the Spirit-prepared Jewish heart would be moved by the weight of his Old Testament allusions as their mind recalled each reference in context. As they produced the desired effect, the reader would surely pick up the pace in his quest for Christ-likeness, gaining an inspired second wind. Barnes comments: “Hope of victory will do much to strengthen one almost exhausted in battle, the desire to reach home invigorates the frame of the weary traveler. So it is with the Christian in persecution, and sickness, and bereavement, he may be ready to sink under his burdens, the hands fall, the knees tremble, and the heart sinks within us, but confidence in God and the hope of heaven, and the assurance that all that is for our good will invigorate the enfeebled frame and enable us to bear what we once supposed would crush us to dust. A courageous mind embraces a feeble body, and hope makes it fresh for new conflicts.”