“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and reliable and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us…” (Hebrews 6:19-20a NASB)
Before reading one more word, go back and look at the last eight words in the opening verse. Doing so will give you perspective and will help you connect with today’s purpose. Thank you.
Now, thanks to Brother Thomas for this meditation. As we were talking about Christ, our Great High Priest, as a forerunner for all of us who are members of a royal priesthood, according to Peter’s inspired writing in Scripture, Brother Thomas shared that he was reminded of the rabbit used in steeplechase races. God will use the ordinary to bring to our minds the extraordinary. After Thomas shared with the class, right away I said that I was going to have to do some research about the analogy he shared, letting us know how the “rabbit” led the way for the runners in the steeplechase competition to know the way they should go on the course. I did just that and I found out some interesting facts from Wikipedia and other sources.
According to Wikipedia, “A pacemaker or pacesetter, sometimes informally called a rabbit, is a runner who leads a middle-or long-distance running event for the first section to ensure a fast time and avoid excessive tactical racing. Pacemakers are frequently employed by race organizers for world record attempts with specific instructions for lap times. Some athletes have essentially become professional pacemakers. A competitor who chooses the tactic of leading in order to win is called a front-runner rather than a pacemaker. Pacemakers may be used to avoid the tactics of deception that are possible in competition by those who, for example, race away from the start line (and are likely to subsequently slow down), giving the other runners the impression that they are far behind. A trusted team of pacemakers who are paid to keep the runners at a speed that they can manage for the rest of the race become useful in such a situation. Pacemakers are also used on world record attempts in order to make sure that the runner knows where their invisible “opponent” predecessor is at that stage of the race. Pacemakers serve the role of conveying tangible information about pacing on the track during a race.”
Other sources I found described the barriers in a steeplechase race, explained what constituted a complete race, and made it known that the barriers, which are many, don’t move like hurdles when hit. They stay fixed. I guess if the barrier does not get one runner, the barrier will try to bring another one down or slow him down.
Let’s make an application of Brother Thomas awesome analogy to aid us as we run, ascending higher on this Christian race. We will start at the obvious, as least I think it should be the obvious. Christ is our forerunner. He took on flesh and dwelt among us, and He ran the race ahead of us, perfectly, and now is “behind the veil,” in heaven.
Christ leads believers regardless of the distance of our event, called life, regardless of the number of years we are blessed to see; whether we are middle age or if we have been in this race for a long time.
As a forerunner, Christ helps us deal with distinct tactics and deceptions put in our way by the great deceiver, Satan, as we run the Christian race. He helps us run at the right speed so we can manage situations that will confront us. Christ helps us mature as runners. Christ, like the “rabbit” in steeplechase competitions, lets us know where the invisible opponents we must face are located on our course. And here is a very important one! Christ conveys tangible information by means of His profound words and perfect examples so we can pace perfectly during our race, perpetual race, one that lasts until we joined Him in Heaven!
I know we are a couple of days into the week, but let me challenge you by means of the closing verse. Keep your eyes on our “rabbit,” our “pacemaker,” our “forerunner.” Run the race by faith and you will be a winner this week. All runners do not win, but you will. I have confidence in you.
Praise God for how He used Bro. Thomas to inspire today’s meditation, one connected to the word of God, God’s specific message for this day, and helpful to each one of us. Have a great “run” the rest of this week! Be blessed!
“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB)
Mark L. King