11/23/25 The Witnesses Who Went Before
- Fr. Patrick Bush
- Nov 23
- 3 min read
Takeaway: We run our race with endurance because we are surrounded by a legacy of faith.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:1-2
Opening Prayer
Lord, as I enter this time of devotion, quiet my spirit and focus my heart on You. Help me to hear Your voice through Your Word and to be strengthened by the faith of those who have gone before me. Give me courage to run the race set before me with my eyes fixed on Christ. Amen.
Reflection
Hebrews 12:1–2 reminds us that faith is never lived in isolation; it is woven into a story much larger than our own. The “great cloud of witnesses” described by the writer of this letter to the Hebrews goes on to include examples of the faithful women and men who chose to trust God in the face of uncertainty. These stories of Abraham’s journey into the unknown, Moses’ obedience when he felt unqualified, Rahab’s courage in aligning herself with God’s people, and countless unnamed heroes both biblically and personally, are not just faithful accounts. They are testimonies shouting across generations encouraging us to keep going, stay faithful, God is worth it.
These witnesses do not watch us with judgment but with encouragement; comforting us with the truth that the race of faith is hard, but it is winnable. Their lives prove that ordinary people become extraordinary instruments of grace when they surrender themselves to God’s calling. They remind us that faith is not about never stumbling; it is about rising again because God’s promises are greater than our failures. And as we run our own race, we are strengthened by knowing others who have run it faithfully before us.
Yet the focus of our race is not our witnesses to the world, it is Jesus. Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes on Him, the “pioneer and perfecter of faith.” He not only shows us how to run but empowers us to run it. When our legs feel weak, when the obstacles seem too high, when discouragement whispers that we cannot go on, we look to Christ. His example steadies us. His presence encourages us. His joy becomes our strength. We do not run alone, and we do not run by our own power. We run in the company of saints and in the footsteps of our Savior.
Questions
Who in your own life has been a “witness of faith,” inspiring or encouraging you in your walk with God?
In what ways might God be calling you to become a witness of faith for someone else?
Closing Prayer
Jesus, thank You for those who have gone before me and shown me what faith looks like in real life. Help me to run my race with perseverance, to lay down every burden that distracts me from keeping my eyes fixed on You. Strengthen me with Your presence and make my life a testimony of Your grace. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
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