Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.The author of Hebrews now finishing his list of faithful saints, gives us the ultimate example. It is interesting that (in my experience at least) we seem to list many of the prophets and saints when talking about faith, but fail to list the Savior himself. But the truth is that although He is the Son of God, it still took great faith to perform the works that he did. And as Paul reminds us, ultimately enduring the cross.
His faith was such that he knew against all doubt, the joy that awaited Him and all people if he could endure to the end of His mission. I don't suppose it was any easier for Him than it is for any of us to keep the commandments, and go against the ways of the world, the urgings of the flesh and ultimately the tides of darkness. I don't suppose for a moment that His being the Son of God made it any easier; in fact may have (and apparently did) made the opposition against Him all the stiffer. Which makes His ultimate triumph all the greater.
Yes, He endured the ultimate trial of Faith. The translation in the KJV says he "endured the cross, despising the shame", but in other translations is rendered "disregarding the shame". In other words, He had the strength to see that the things that the world values are only a facade. That even torture and death are but a small thing compared to indulging in sin. And all the shame the world tried to heap upon Him for his faithfulness, He disregarded, He simply shrugged off, and quietly "went about His Father's business".
I pray that He will grant us faith and grace so that we can follow in His footsteps.
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