Hebrews 12:1-2 are among my favorite verses in the Bible. They’re even the inspiration for this blog. But it’s verse 3 that I’ve been sitting with this morning.

“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:3

It may have caught my attention because I’ve felt wearied by the things of this world lately, longing for something better.

I think growing weary and losing heart are part of a slow process, usually not an all-at-once occurrence.

God graciously gives us a proactive practice to help prevent this giving up: consider Jesus.

Consider Him on the road to weariness. Not yourself, not your circumstances. Not your enemy, not the drama.

I’m not saying ignore your feelings; I believe we should befriend them. I’m learning that they’re important indicators. But in the midst of processing and being still and giving space for your emotions – consider Jesus. Elevate Him over it all.

Consider Him, who was fully God and fully man. Consider Him, who came to earth to be with us and show us the most excellent way. Consider Him, who was opposed and hated, disputed and insulted. Consider Him, who knew no sin but became sin for us. Consider Him, who conquered death and overcame the evil one. Consider Him, who is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us.

Consider Him.

I want to break down this verse with some Greek definitions, but first, some context.

“These were all commended for their faith (Hebrews 11:1-38), yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 11:39-40, 12:1-3

Sometimes we need to reset and see the big picture again, to catch another glimpse of the Father’s heart for us. He doesn’t want us weighed down or wearied. He doesn’t want us to lose ourselves or our souls. He didn’t create us to live divided or burnt out.

He marked out a race for each one of us to run. And He wants us to run, free, eyes fixed on Him, following Jesus’s example. It requires persevering, receiving His strength in our weakness, and considering what Jesus endured.

If you’ve known me any length of time, you know I love words and definitions. Blue Letter Bible is an amazing resource, a helpful tool to dig deeper into the Bible. I looked at these Greek words in Hebrews 12:3…

• Consider (G357) analogizomai: “to estimate, i.e. (figuratively) contemplate; to think over, ponder, consider, ‘to consider by weighing, comparing.'”
• Him who endured (G5278) hypomenō: “to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere; to remain, i.e. abide, not recede or flee, to endure, bear bravely and calmly: absolutely, ill-treatment.”
• Grow weary (G2577) kamnō: “properly, to toil, i.e. (by implication) to tire (figuratively faint, sicken); to grow weary, to be weary.”
• Lose (G1590) eklyō: “to relax (literally or figuratively); to dissolve; metaphorically, to weaken, relax, exhaust; to despond, become faint-hearted.”
• Heart (G5590) psychē: “breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit; the soul; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our soul, heart, etc.); fainting in your souls.”

Consider the weight of what Jesus underwent. Ponder his example of bearing trials bravely and calmly. He didn’t flee; He exemplified fortitude. He didn’t recede; He stayed.

He wants us to bear His image, to imitate His endurance. He doesn’t want us to toil and tire; He wants us to come to Him. He doesn’t want our souls to dissolve because of exhaustion; He wants us to learn from Him, one step at a time.

I pray that you look up today, fixing your eyes on Jesus. God is with you, and He is for you; He goes before you, He’s beside you, and He’s your rear guard. He’s all around; stop and see Him. Let Him catch your attention.

Remember Jesus, His life and death, all that He went through to make a way for us to have relationship with God. Whatever it is you’re enduring – bear it bravely and calmly. Don’t grow weary; don’t lose heart. Consider Him.

This week’s song suggestions:

• Take Courage covered by Jon Wright
• Never Will by Life.Church Worship
• You Keep Coming After Me by Austin Stone Worship