Hebrews 12:  1-3; 7

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,^* and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of^* the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners,^* so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. ….⁷ Endure trials for the sake of discipline.

Read Hebrews 12. Early Christians would be familiar with the various games that their society staged. The competitors were in many events fighting for their very lives and could be rewarded with freedom from slavery. Any serious athlete who intends to compete in the games had to train. Competitors have to accept the discipline of their life event and turn the disciplines to their advantage. A genuine winner in the games cannot allow the trials they come across on the way to the finals to be thought of in a negative way; they are the disciplines required to win. Jesus was the perfect example of the athlete who won not just His own victors crown (laurel wreath) but He won our freedom in his trials and the main event of the cross. Jesus did not give up through adversity: rejection, disloyalty and betrayal. Jesus endured, he demonstrated the ultimate discipline in His life; He accepted the trials of life as disciplines and He won our freedom. So, consider Jesus! Let us not lose heart when we struggle in life and one day very soon we too will be counted among the victorious alongside our victorious Jesus. Let us be among those who have run the race of discipleship and won.