On February 12, 2009, one of my favorite seminary profs, Harold Hoehner finished his race. Dr. Hoehner was a favorite of everyone who had him in class, and I prize the time I had the privilege of studying under him at Dallas Seminary. He was also one of the greatest NT scholars of the 20^th Century—really—and his large commentary on Ephesians is the best exegetical treatment available in English. Probably in any language. Dr. Hoehner was an avid runner, and on that Thursday in February, he ran for the last time. A short time afterwards his unexpected death at home was shocking, as he was a healthy 74 years young. I have trouble believing that this happened more than six years ago, but time flies, and the only constant in our life circumstances seems to be change.

I think of Dr. Hoehner when I reflect on the command in Hebrews 12:1-3 to run the race set before us because of how closely his final run coincided with the conclusion of his earthly race. I had another friend who died in the middle of a run, again as a total shock, and again as the conclusion of a race well-run in terms of his spiritual life. Dr. Hoehner and my friend Joe Goetz died after doing something they really loved to do, but the conclusion of their race gave them something better than all that this life can offer. For the first time they caught sight of Jesus, Someone they loved with all their hearts but had never seen. They were men who were very comfortable with applying Paul’s self-assessment to themselves in Acts 20:24:

24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

We have been examining the command to “Run the race” in Hebrews 12:1-3 by looking at several significant details. This fantastic summary of the Christian life bears repeated consideration. Today I want to point out the word “set” in v1. It answers the needed question we should all ask: “Why am I running a race again?”

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us….

The devil is not in the details here; actually this detail is all about God. This little word in our English Bibles is helping us understand where our responsibilities begin and end. The description of the race that we are supposed to run is in the passive voice, “is set.” This at least implies that someone besides you and me did the setting, though it is on us to do the running. The Greek word being translated “is set” is actually a participle—a verb used as an adjective from the verb PROKEIMAI (proh kay’ mi, προκείμαι). This verb is always found in the middle or passive voice in Greek, and the NASB, KJV, and NKJV all agree that the passive voice should be brought out here into English.

So what? The awesome “so what” of this verse is that you did not set the race before yourself. You did not get up one day and say, “I think I’ll go for a life-encompassing competitive run.” On the day we first believed the Gospel, we did not say to those around us, “Ok, I’m going for a run. I’ll never be back because the race will not end until I die.” No, you heard that Jesus died in your place to pay for your sins, and He rose again on the Third Day. You believed in Him, and immediately, though you may not have heard the starter pistol, be certain that it went off. You might have looked down to notice that you were wearing a number and running gear, and the clock was ticking. It still is.

The race that “is set before us” is inevitable by God’s design. Our success in running it is not inevitable.

In Helsinki in 1938, Abraham Tokazier, a Jewish sprinter, won the 100 meter sprint. He was the gold medalist in his event, representing Finland’s Makkabi Sports Club. Tragically, the judges denied that he was the winner and, to their eternal embarrassment, the next day’s newspaper showed this photo on the front page, clearly presenting Tokazier as the winner. This anti-semitic scandal from the 1938 Helsinki Olympics still remains a sore spot for the Israeli sports community because it is such an over-the-top demonstration of corruption and oppression. Unlike the case of Tokazier’s stellar performance, we don’t need a photographer to advocate for us before our Judge when He evaluates our race. He knows the whole story and cannot help but rule justly. The record will not be graded on the curve, either. What we did for Him in His power will inevitably differ from what we did for ourselves or others in our own power. And the Lord will not make His evaluation on any other basis than the objective comparison with His absolute Righteousness and infinite love.

So God has set up the race; we run it. How marvelously simplifying is that for our lives?! We don’t have to register or even sign up. God took care of all the arrangements. The kind of race we’re talking about is not for the faint of heart—you’ll need endurance and focus. Also it is not a sprint. It is the long-haul, entire life, fully-committed, race of the disciple of Jesus Christ.

Like Harold Hoehner and Joe Goetz, your race will come to an end before you know it. No matter how long we have, this life is shorter than we think. And just like Tokazier’s undeniable photograph of the conclusion of his race, our Lord has a “photo” of every step we take—every thought, motivation, decision, and action. Your life matters enough in the grand scheme of things that God has scheduled an end-of-race review at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). Your choices have eternal significance because the eternal God takes note of them. Combine that awesome significance with the very few opportunities in life to serve, and you might decide to get running. Are you running in such a way that you’re taking into account the ticking clock and the permanent record? If life is a race, then today is a step along the way. May you be strengthened “to run with endurance the race that [God has] set before you by looking away unto Jesus….”