The roar of the crowd
It’s been a busy, and warm, summer in sport and live music! We are in the middle of Euro 2025, the women’s football competition, which has gained following since England’s victory in 2022.
Last weekend was the climax of Wimbledon, the world renown grass tennis championship. I did have to laugh when I saw a video clip of an umpire telling the spectators to refrain from uncorking their champagne as the players were serving!
In live music, the big news has been about the first gigs of Oasis, who reformed after 16 years. At the weekend they played to over 80000 people in their home town of Manchester.
Sport or live music have one thing in common… fans! The venues have been packed full of people cheering on their player, team or band. Most have paid a big price to be there.
It’s the support and encouragement that makes these events so special and memorable for the fans and those they are there to watch and support.
In the book of Hebrews, in the Bible, this imagery is used…
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
This was written between 60-70AD at a time when many Christians were being persecuted for their faith.
The letter was written to encourage these people to keep following Jesus. The readers would have be familiar with the imagery of crowds watching events, as many cities had Roma built colosseums.
Prior to these verses, the writer had listed many Godly men and women who had gone before. He imagines them, in heaven, observing and encouraging the Christians living out their faith now.
I love this image, and like to think that they are still doing that today! I picture other Godly women and men, who I have known but are no longer here. That would include my wonderful Mum, who passed away in 2004, Adrian Thomas and Dave Marchment.
These Godly people, who have gone before, inspire me to keep going. Like the crowds at the sport or music events, I like to think of them, looking down from heaven and cheering me on in my faith journey…
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader