Consider Him that Endured Contradiction Hebrews 12:3

The Hebrew writer told his readers they should be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of” their “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”, and in chapter twelve and verse three of Hebrews the writer shares how his readers should “consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself” where we read:

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,

lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.

The verse begins, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,,...”. The writer began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “consider him” or “think over and ponder Jesus” “that endured” which means “who tarried behind, remained, persevered and bore bravely and calmly” “such contradiction” or “this sort of gainsaying, opposition and rebellion” “of sinners” which refers to “especially wicked, heathen and devoted to sin people” “against himself” which means “among and towards Jesus himself”. The readers of Hebrews were to “ponder and think about” Jesus who “persevered” the “rebellion” of “sinners” who were against Him.

The verse goes on to say, “lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.”. The writer continued with the words, “lest” or “so or in order that” “you be wearied” which means “the readers would not tire, be faint or sick” “and faint” or “and weaken, relax, exhaust, despond and become faint hearted” “in your minds” which means “in the readers' seat of feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. The readers of Hebrews were to “consider” how Jesus “endured” the “gainsaying and rebellion” of “sinners” so they would not become “faint hearted and despondent” over their circumstances.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see the importance of keeping our focus upon Jesus at all times. Though Jesus faced opposition, He “persevered and bore bravely and calmly” the punishment of the “cross” because it was the key to the “salvation” of man. “Lest” we “be wearied and faint in your minds”, let us remember what Jesus “endured” on our behalf.

Next time the writer tells his readers, “you have not resisted unto blood”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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