Hebrews
{12:1} 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
{12:2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
{12:3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
{12:4} Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Jesus is our example.
Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith.
Jesus is our High Priest.
Jesus is our advocate.
Jesus endured so much when He didn't have to endure anything at all. No one forced Him.
Jesus suffered.
Why do we think we shouldn't have to suffer?
Why?
We do think that. We do.
We hate suffering and would do anything to not suffer. We sell our souls so to speak so we don't suffer.
Anything we cry out, anything so the pain goes away.
The trouble is that anything so we don't have to suffer is often too much and because we'd rather not suffer at all.
Christ didn't want to suffer, but he chose to because it was the only way He could obtain salvation for us.
If He being innocent suffered so much greater than we ever could even in the most horrific of ways, we who are guilty at least deserve our punishments, our suffering. Even if we think we don't, even if we think we are *good* people, undeserving of any suffering, in truth we're not. We're guilty sinners and we need to recognize that and understand that any suffering we are asked to endure now is nothing compared to the suffering of the Innocent One.
If our Savior suffered, we will suffer.
Sin, any sin we cherish we will have to suffer to lay aside and if we think for some unknown reason that we don't have to suffer, that we shouldn't have to give up any sins, well, just read this again--
Hebrews
{12:1} 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
{12:2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
{12:3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
{12:4} Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
May the Lord bless and keep us by His mercy and grace, helping us to realize that we need to set aside ANYTHING that would keep us from following Him, anything.
In His Name now and forever.
Amen.
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