Hebrews 12:1-6
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, 2 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.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
There is a quasi-Christian popular belief that loved ones who have previously died look down from above and watch over us. Sometimes the thought is that our loved-ones become angels when they die; though much more for the sake of our emotional comfort than for our spiritual protection. These sentimental imaginings disappear in the light of God’s word. But the great cloud of witnesses is offered here as an encouragement to faithful discipleship. They surround us and cheer us on in the life-long calling to follow Jesus.
It is one thing to imagine someone watching you to catch you doing something wrong. It is quite another to know that we are being cheered on in our disciples’ race. I’m no runner, but I love the idea of being cheered on as I follow Jesus. It is encouraging to me to think that there are heroes of the faith who genuinely want to see me win this race.
As a bike rider I know the benefit of riding with a partner. I go faster if I’m not riding alone. Almost all of that has to do with the encouragement I gain from my riding partner. I understand, furthermore, that when you ride with a group the benefit is even greater. You gain not only the benefit of motivation but also the synergy of the peloton.
So the encouragement to run the race, to keep the faith, and win the prize is stronger as we realize and take advantage of the reality that we are not alone in our calling. There are people cheering us on. There are those who have shown us the path. There are those who have finished the race. And God himself yearns for our success. Jesus is both savior and example, redeemer and inspiration. His eyes are on us with the delighted hope that we will embrace the ultimate victory that he has won.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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