Intro

The title raises a question. Don’t we normally run to the finish line? 

In Romans 10:15b, we read a quotation from Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” This verse pictures a runner crossing hills.   

The image is like that of the well-known story of the Greek messenger, running from the battlefields of Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians in 490 BC. He ran a distance of 26 miles. When he arrived in Athens, he gasped the word “Victory!” and fell dead.

In the case of Isaiah 52, the messenger runs to announce to the people of Israel in exile the fall of Jerusalem’s enemy, Babylon, and their release from captivity. “I have amazingly GOOD NEWS of peace, happiness and salvation! Our God reigns! We have been set free!”

In Romans 10, Paul refers to another run. Who are the runners? Why are their feet beautiful? Why are they running from the finish line?

Reflection and Prayer:

• If you are a follower of Jesus, have you quit running your own race? Are you running the beautiful race from the finish line?
• If you are not a follower of Jesus, are you ready to stop running your own race? What do you need to do today to get to the finish line, Jesus?