3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Hebrews 12:3-4

Explanation:

In verses 1-2, we were encouraged to run the race of life with endurance, looking to Jesus who ran and finished His race well.  In verse 3 we are focusing more on Christ as an example that we are looking to for how to live and run.  If there was anyone that need patience or endurance it was Jesus Christ.  He “endured such contradiction of sinners against himself”.  Jesus was sinless, and he lived with sinners.  Everyone can be put into one of the three basic categories given to us in Proverbs: Wise, Foolish, and Evil.  In comparison to Christ all of us are evil.  

Jesus was always dealing with foolish and evil people.  His disciples were those who were sometimes foolish that He was trying to teach to become wise.  One of those disciples was evil, and ended up betraying Him.  

Jesus endured people who were “sinners against himself”.   He had enemies.  Because of His righteousness in word and action he made people mad.  They ended up crucifying Him because they were so against Him.  Jesus did resist those evil people “unto blood”.  Why?  He was “striving against sin.”  

The author points to his readers that they have not yet striven against sin for God to the point of enduring physical harm being done to them.  Christ did. 

Application:

When we think about Jesus Christ running the race with endurance, we must consider that He did it in a way that cost Him. Are we willing to run the race with patience in a way that costs us?  Are we willing to stand for what is right even when we are hated, maligned, betrayed, and even physically harmed?

Response:

God help me to live for you today even when it costs me.