“…consider HIM who endured”…..
Hebrews 12:3
Helps Word Study: consider
357 analogízomai (from 303/aná, "up, completing a process" intensifying 3049/logízomai, "reckon, reason") – properly, reasoning up to a conclusion, i.e. moving through the needed thought-process (analysis) to "add things up" – reckoning from "premise to conclusion" especially by repeated (nuanced) reflection (advancing up the "levels of truth").
357 (analogizomai) only occurs in Heb 12:3 (as a command, Gk aorist imperative) which literally calls us to "reason from down to up" about what Christ went through at the cross – which by comparison keeps us from growing weary (weak)!
Hebrews chapter twelve sets before us our course for endurance. Last week we saw how looking to Jesus keeps our perspective in order. Today, we find as we ‘consider’ Him who endured, our strength, to do the same, endure.
Endurance again simply means to ‘remain under’ rather that there is a right way to endure effectively and righteously. Can we position ourselves in humble submission and patiently wait upon the Lord to work in His timing without being moved, or do we find ourselves frustrated and striving to take control? These would be the fruit of growing weary: impatience and wavering.
We all carry expectations about how our personal environment should look. We have promises from God and we paint our picture. As we move forward with the seed of promises sown, we know Satan comes immediately to steal the word sown. Adversity arrives, storms come, obstacles show up and we are TEMPTED to yield to their voices. Jesus’ greatest endured hostility came from his interaction with people.
No matter who or what the conditions are, IF we consider HIM, we do not grow weary or faint in our souls (literal Greek). Jesus said, ‘he who endures to the end.... he who carries it to completion, full production.. shall be saved’. The word sown is designed to bring forth its fruit, in its time, to the glory of God; IF we do not faint in doing right.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will, from the flesh, reap corruption but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
From Revelation chapter 14, we have this one little verse that is a call for endurance of the saints, for those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
This call for endurance is to be a mark of every true believer. A placement of our lives into the hands and timing of God while we trust He is at work, perfecting all things that concern us is truth that must be embraced. We have learned how to be still and wait through our practiced spiritual disciplines and while in their midst, we are to look to Jesus.
Consider HIM ~ Tempted as we are, yet without sin, able to be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses.
Consider Him. ~ who endured hostility.
Consider Him ~ who had no form or beauty that man was naturally drawn to him.
Consider Him ~ rejected by family, church and community, betrayed, wrongfully accused, denied and finally deserted by all.
Consider Him ~ a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.
Consider Him ~ who endured lest we become weary and faint in our souls.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
And finally, Hebrews reminds us of this one, great, undeniable truth ~ we have not yet resisted sin, to the point of shedding our blood. Let us be found faithful and resolute to endure to the end so that in all things Jesus holds our affection and attention.