A few months ago Cheryl and I were exploring the Smoky Mountains and drove the Cades Cove loop. We took our time and walked most of the paths to homesteads and mills and churches, reading the signs that described the history of the area before it became part of the National Park.

As we wandered around, I had a thought I have had many times when walking through mountains and thick trees and suddenly finding a home: How did they find this spot and why did they decide to stay here?  Those were brave and hearty souls who settled those remote locations. They went through difficult times to be sure, but they found some beautiful places to live.

Hebrews 12:1–3 (RSV) 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 perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer 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. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Most translations call Jesus the “Author and perfecter” or “founder and perfecter” of our faith, but the RSV, which I used in parochial school growing up, rendered this word as “Pioneer.” I like that word. It makes me think of a trailblazer, someone who found that good spot and established a home and opened the way for others to follow him to that place. Jesus did that for us.

Those who are traveling through this life are told to lay aside their burdens and the weight of their sin and run the race before them, looking to the Pioneer who blazed the trail for us all. He went through a lot of hardships to establish our home, to open the path that we can follow to eternal life. He endured the cross to pay the penalty our sins deserve. But He did what was necessary, He was successful and showing us the path to the place He has prepared for us to stay with Him for eternity.

As we go through this life following His path, we will also encounter evil and pain and hardships. But we have the promise that He is with us through those difficult times, right next to us, encouraging us to follow Him all the way to our heavenly home.