The School of Suffering – Hebrews 12:5-11

In light of his race analogy opening chapter 12, it seems appropriate that the author of Hebrews would extend his athletic metaphor to illustrate rigorous, behind the scenes training required to finish the course with honors. In doing so, he underscores a recurring theme of Paul's epistles. Perhaps the most recognizable and beautiful summary of this aspect of the Christian life is featured in II Cor 4:16-18. The apostle declares we do not loose heart (16) as we realize “...this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” this he stresses, is possible as we look to things unseen, learning to live in light of eternal realities. – In 1552, five young students wrote to encourage the church in Calvin's Geneva. Their letter can be found in The Register of the Company of Pastors of Geneva in the Time of Calvin. They declared while awaiting martyrdom in prison: “We testify that this is the true school of the children of God in which they learn more than the disciples of the philosophers ever did in their universities.” They went on to distinguish between the theory and the practice of God's Word – recognizing they were realizing the value of the latter. May our response to excruciating trials be similar...