What comfort there is in knowing that Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith”!  If we break Hebrews 12:2 down, we see that “author” according to Strong’s concordance is “the originator, founder; leader, ruler, or captain”.  One could launch deep into the waters of the Oneness of God with respect to Jesus being the author and finisher of our faith, but we will try and stay in the safety of the shallow end of the pool and yet still make our point. 

He is the Originator.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3).

Webster describes “founder” as “one that establishes”.  “Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting” (Psalms 93:2).  He is the one that “laid the foundations of the earth” (Job 38:4) and is the “chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).  In looking at these scriptures we see that the one that established is the one that created.  Amen.

A leader is a headship of a body, a conductor, or a guide.  He is the one providing direction to those behind; a shepherd, if you please.  “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep” (John 10:14).  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them” (John 10:27). 

Allow me to veer off the road for a moment.  Whose voice are you hearing?  Or worse yet, whose voice are you listening to?  If you have a virtual internet relationship with someone on Facebook, MySpace, a personal blog or Twitter that is trying to persuade you against the teachings of your Pastor, stop!  The traditions and standards that your Pastor has instituted are for your protection.  Your Pastor is the one that will have to give an account for you.  Let him do it with joy and not grief.  If any should try to teach otherwise, they are at the least little foxes or worse, wolves in sheep’s clothing. 

Jesus is the Ruler.  “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:21).  A ruler can only have dominion over what he can control.  “And he arose and said unto the sea, Peace be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this that even the wind and sea obey him?” (Mark 4:39-41).

To finish the study of the first word of this text, “author”, we come to captain.  Hebrews 2:10 calls Jesus the captain of our salvation.  Acts 4:10 lets us know that only through Jesus can we find salvation, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. 

Finisher is noted as the perfector.  If we be of Him through salvation (Acts 2:38) and are able to enjoy of His inheritance, then we are made perfect by Him in our reconnected-ness to God.

Faith is translated as assurance.  Assurance is a guarantee, a promise; something you can count on and take to the bank.  Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  We have the evidence or proof, it’s in the assurance. 

Just taking this one verse brings a true confidence in the power and might of Jesus in any aspect of life because, “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).  My trust is with the Captain who has perfected our assurance.

Filed under:
Uncategorized by sjones

---