November 1: All Saints Sunday
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. –Hebrews 12:1, 2
This Sunday, November 1, is traditionally All Saints Sunday. Many Protestants have been understandably wary of calling attention to a day like that because of prayers to saints and similar practices. Yet scripture bodly commends to us in both the Older and Newer Testaments to consider those who have run the race before us and to receive inspiration and comfort from their victories in Jesus with the joy that comes from knowing they are with him. We are responsible for telling of his greatness from one generation to another.
Looking again at the passage above, the “therefore” is there to connect the conclusion with the reason. The reason is chapter 11 where the saints are commended for their living by faith in the promises of God, most of which they did not experience in their time on earth. In other words, they did not have their best life in the “now.” That’s the reason, but the conclusion is that we lay aside every weight, and sin, and run with endurance. At this point the writer does not point us to the saint-ish folks, but to the One True Saint, Jesus. He is the beginning (founder) and end (perfecter) of our faith and didn’t have his best life in the now (cross and shame) either.
And that’s the gospel! Come hear it preached and enacted in the supper with Jesus this Sunday.
The related hymns we’ll sing are:
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
For All the Saints
Amazing Grace
Sunday school for children (in Genesis) and adults (on Reformed Treasures) is up and running! Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15.
Visitors are always welcome!