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Time after Pentecost · Proper 15 · Year C

Hebrews 11:17-31; 12:1-3

Surrounded by a Great Cloud of Witnesses

August 20, 2028

The Crossing of the Red Sea, Nicolas Poussin
The Crossing of the Red Sea, Nicolas Poussin, c. 1634National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
A companion piece to Poussin's Adoration of the Golden Calf, originally hung together. The sea stands up in walls while the Israelites gather on the far bank among the washed-up armour.He brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing: Psalm 105 recites the rescue, and Hebrews lists it among the acts of faith.Nicolas PoussinA French painter who lived almost entirely in Rome, building his compositions from wax figures in a box, and became the model of classical order.National Gallery of Victoria, MelbourneThe oldest and most visited public art museum in Australia, founded on the wealth of the gold rush.National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 12:49-53Lk 12:49-53
EpistleHeb. 11:17-31; 12:1-3Heb 11:17-31; 12:1-3
Old TestamentJer. 23:16-29Jer 23:16-29
PsalterPs. 119:81-88Ps 119:81-88

Overview & Insights

"Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The roll call of faith rushes through the exodus, the conquest, and the judges and prophets who suffered for their trust in God, naming figures whose faith looked forward to a fulfillment they never saw. The writer then turns to the readers themselves, urging them to run their own race with endurance, fixed on Jesus.

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Take it further: Hebrews 11:17-31; 12:1-3

Commentary

Hebrews 11 CommentaryHeb 11 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac and the roll call of faith that follows.

Hebrews 11:23-26 CommentaryHeb 11:23-26 Commentary Precept Austin

A close look at Moses' choice to suffer with God's people rather than enjoy Egypt's pleasures.

Hebrews 12:1 CommentariesHeb 12:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries on the 'cloud of witnesses' image that opens chapter 12.

Hebrews 12 - Barnes' NotesHeb 12 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Barnes' Notes on the athletic imagery of laying aside every weight to run the race.

Commentary on Hebrews 11:29-12:2Commentary on Heb 11:29-12:2 Working Preacher

Erik Heen on how the 'cloud of witnesses' are the very saints of chapter 11 cheering the church on.

Background & Word Study

Hebrews 12:1 InterlinearHeb 12:1 Interlinear BibleHub

The Greek text word by word for 'looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.'

Hebrews OverviewHeb Overview BibleProject

An animated overview of Hebrews and its case that Jesus is greater than every Old Testament figure or event.

The Church Fathers

Hebrews 11 - CatenaHeb 11 - Catena Catena

Gathers patristic comment on the chapter 11 roll call of faith, verse by verse.

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