32-35 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. 36-38 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy- wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39-40 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 12 vs 1 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. Hebrews 11:33 – 12:1 English Standard Version

In Washington DC there’s a well maintained place called 'The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier .' It serves as a symbolic grave for all war dead whose remains haven’t been found or identified. So too at Westminster Abbey in London there is a grave of an ‘Unknown Warrior’ whose body was brought from France at the end of WW1. The writer of Hebrews mentions by name some people who served the Lord, but also includes a list of others whose names he doesn’t give. We can probably identify some of them, but there are 'others' whose names we will never know this side of eternity.

Verses 32-35 tell of the sort of things these people accomplished through their faith in God. And what an amazing list it is! Kingdoms were conquered, lions and fires were defeated, strong armies put to flight. The encouraging phrase for me was the one that said “were made strong out of weakness.” They were not necessarily powerful and brave, but they were strengthened through faith in a God who is strong to save. But it wasn’t all victory and glory. What did many of them experience in this world? (vs 36-38)

Many of them experienced torture. Jewish tradition says it was Isaiah who was 'sawn in two', but the Bible is silent on that matter. Apart from being humbled by what we read of them, the fact that they are not named should rebuke us if we have ever been guilty of seeking recognition or honour in our service for the Lord. We ought to be content if we are unknown in the world, but known to Christ. It was said of them that when faced with torture, they refused to accept release “so that they might rise again to a better life.” They were not seeking the praise of men, but the “well done my good and faithful servant” of their Lord.

What’s the big thing that unsaved people will never understand about these people of whom the world was not worthy? (vs 39-40)

They didn't receive any reward in this world. To unsaved people it would seem that they suffered and died for nothing. But not so, God had provided something better for them, which Christians of today will share in as well, when Jesus Christ returns. So what application does the writer make for the believers he was writing to, many of whom were struggling to cling to their faith. (12 vs 1)

They were to run with endurance the race that was ahead of them. Being a Christian isn't a hundred yard sprint, it's a long and demanding marathon. Sin will hold us back and wear us down, that's why we must turn from it continually. But remember, we serve a God who is able to make the weak strong.