One of the objects of the Holy Spirit in Hebrews is to emphasize that our path and position is one of faith and not of sight. This was especially needful for the Hebrew Christians, who had been born and nurtured in a system of sight, sense, and sound. All that had changed for them when they believed in Jesus as their Messiah. An earthly temple, priest, or sacrifice was no longer necessary. This new position tested their state, especially when trials and temptation came, as chapter 12:1–11 reveals was the case.

In the previous chapter many great examples of a life of faith in the Old Testament saints had been presented. Without faith it was “impossible to please Him,” but they had persevered in “seeing Him who was invisible” (11:6, 27). Much earlier in the Epistle, they were reminded that though we do not yet see evidence of Christ’s victory over His enemies, “We see Jesus” (2:8–9). Here, as well as throughout the Epistle, the personal name of “Jesus” is used. It was His human pathway that led Him ultimately to the cross, but He “despised the shame” because of the joy that lay beyond. Their portion now was the sight which faith gives and no longer what could be seen with the physical eyes.

But if the saints of the Old Testament were examples of faith, there remained another example beyond all comparison: “the leader and completer [or perfecter] of faith.” They were to “steadfastly” look upon Him by faith, for their own path of faith. He had endured. The challenge is true for us as well; let us “consider well Him who endured,” Jesus our Lord.