Word Study For Today: The Gospel According to Luke Chapter 23

Devotion:  RUN YOUR RACE, EARN THE PRIZE!

Text: Hebrews 12:1-13. | 2Corinthinans 4:7-18. | 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Christ is our example and it is expedient to follow in His steps. If we are His and we are called by His name as followers [Christians], then it is expected that we live even as He did, Christ being our example. >“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”[Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT].

Christ sacrificed, He paid the price not for Himself [but really He did it for us]. He is our example. We ought therefore to emulate Him, as He has said >“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”[John 13:15 NLT]. 

Christ is the Big brother we have, who has paced and paved the way ahead of us. >“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”[Romans 8:29 NLT]. Scriptures says > “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” [Hebrews 12:2a NKJV]. Our perfect example ran His race, He paid the price that brought about His prize. Following in His steps therefore we ought to walk same path- PAY THE PRICE! Every Prize has a Price.

>Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) instructs ==>“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

Each one of us should run with endurance the race set before us. Every soul has a set race. We aren’t called to run another’s race[the race of John the Baptist was different from the race of Jesus Christ; but bottom line is they both had a race to run and they did run). In running your race, it is not going to be a walk over, it’s not going to be ‘peanuts’ rather it is going to require your running it with endurance.

Endurance is the ability to continue or to last despite adverse condition/stress/

hardship. It implies keeping on in the face of unpleasantness. It’s not a race of comfort or pleasure, it’s walking on hard terrains; it requires tenacity, hence you have to resolve to conquer despite all shortcomings. Hebrews 12:2b says==>for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

>”if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering…”[Romans 8:17 NLT].

Jesus endured! There were too many pains on His path. Talk of condemnations, insults, ridiculing, agony, etc yet He took it all >“Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

[Hebrews 12:3 AMP].  Jesus had a goal, and He was bent on hitting His mark, hence He persevered, bore the shame, despised the insults till He got to His finish line. He made it! He won the incomparable Prize. And so today He is seated at the right Hand of God’s throne over and above principalities and powers that did all to frustrate and stall Him. To this we also are being called >“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”[1 Peter 2:21 NLT].

> “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”[1 Peter 2:23 NLT].

Oh what a life, what a sacrifice, what a price.

Beloved it is unto this same order we are called. Consider all of these so you will not be weary as to throw in the towel. If Jesus has been there, and He made it, yes we also can make it. >“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”[Hebrews 4:15 NLT].

Whatever shot our race requires, we need to give it. We have to step up our game everytime. Paul the Apostle said in > 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (MSG)==>“I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”

Pay the price that your destiny requires. Endure! What is ahead is what well worth paying the price. >17)“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18)So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”[2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT].

The sacrifices aren’t always forever, there’s a glory(prize) set ahead and this prize is an eternal prize[such as Christ is now enjoying]. It is worth your endurance. > Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”[2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT]. Christ’s  life must be seen in us as Christians, so take on suffering as He did. It’s called in scriptures,>>> “a light affliction”. Paul describes this light affliction in >2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT)==> 8)“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9)We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

Beloved, endure the pressure; know that the anxieties will come[though scriptures says  be anxious for nothing] so deal with them; troubles will barge at you, don’t get crushed; you will be hunted and knocked down sometimes, you will be perplexed, but do not despair, you are not going to be destroyed.

Allow the Help of Christ as you run your race, paying your price. >“…if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”[Romans 8:11 NKJV].

Paul said >“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”[2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT].

Never give up, have your spirit renewed and strengthened, and then go ahead PAY THE PRICE.

Prayer Action:

-Give thanks to Lamb Who paid the price.

-Ask God for the baptism of endurance[that you might be able to stand the test of time paying the price].

-Ask God for grace to finish strong[hitting the mark receiving the prize].

  • Your Prize is worth paying its price.