Comrades – more than a competition

by | Apr 6, 2012 | 2012 | 0 comments

Every year, usually around autumn to early winter, there is a marathon run in South Africa which has won international recognition and participation. This is the Comrades Marathon, a 90km, 12 hour gruelling race which attracts every kind of participant imaginable—short, tall, male, female, thin, fat, young, old, black, white, and anything in between.

The goal of the majority of runners is not to win the race by aiming to come first, but simply to cross the finishing line. All who manage this are given a certificate in recognition of the achievement. If you make it to the end in the allotted 12 hours, you are a winner! Participants have been known to help each other along, offer support and even help fallen ‘comrades’ to their feet. There’s an atmosphere of “we’re in this together.” One of the oldest people ever to run this race was over 80 years of age, and he made it in 11 hours 58 minutes. He was a winner although he didn’t come near to first place. Characteristically, there was enormous applause and cheering as he crossed the finishing line.

In his letters to Christians in various churches, Paul frequently likened our Christian walk (or run) to running in a race (1 Corinthians 9:26-27, Galatians 2:2) The writer of Hebrews also says, “…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Jesus last words before he died were, “It is finished” (John 19:30). At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This moment ushered in victory over Satan, mankind set free, and the relationship between God and man restored. In John 12:32, Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” The moment had arrived for all to be drawn to Christ.

Having received salvation and the Holy Spirit which empowers us to do God’s will, we, like Jesus, must set our eyes on the finishing line. We need to grow—develop dedication, desire and urgency to see God’s work, which we are, come to completion. It calls for our zealous participation.

 

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