Jesus: The Author and Finisher of Our Faith

Trevor S. Ferguson

October 10, 2010

Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.


INTRODUCTION
The book of Hebrews presents Jesus Christ in a light that reflects his superiority over all previous revelations of God to humanity. Most commentators agree that the key word in the book is better. The word occurs 13 times in the book and refers to Jesus as being better than the angels, providing a better hope, a better covenant with better promises, and a better priesthood with better sacrifices. In Hebrews chapter 11 we find a listing of the heroes of faith in the Old Testament from Abraham through to David. The chapter speaks of a better country, a better resurrection and ends with the interesting statement that God has provided some better things for us that they without us should not be made perfect. Chapter 12 begins by reflecting on the heroes of chapter 11, calling them “a great cloud of witnesses”, and challenges us therefore to “run with patience the race that is set before us”. The writer then instructs us to focus not on the cloud of witnesses, but to focus on Jesus who is the “author and finisher of our faith”. Today, I want us to focus on this description of Jesus and will outline how Jesus has planned and prepared our salvation from start to finish!

EXPOSITION
I will use four points to illustrate this principle:
1. Jesus prepared the plan for our salvation
2. Jesus executed the plan of salvation
3. Jesus completed the tasks required for our salvation
4. Jesus guarantees the final culmination of our salvation


Let’s look at each of these in turn

1. Jesus prepared the plan for our salvation
The word translated ‘author’ in the KJV can be variously rendered as pioneer, leader, chief leader, captain, or prince. God in his sovereign plan for humanity prepared the plan for man’s salvation. This plan rested in the revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. In Genesis 3:15 we find the first reference to this plan when it speaks of the seed of the woman who would crush the serpent's head. This idea is repeated numerous times in the Old Testament scriptures: Jacob spoke of the coming of Shiloh – a reference to the Messiah; Moses spoke of a prophet who was to come; the prophets (chiefly Isaiah) speak on numerous occasion of the coming Messiah. We see therefore that God, in his divinity, designed the plan and chose to reveal himself in Jesus Christ as the chief strategist, the captain, pioneer and the chief leader of the plan of salvation

2. Jesus executed the plan of Salvation
Not only was he the pioneer and strategist but Jesus himself also executed/carried out the plan of salvation. In Galatians 4:4-5 we are told that in the fullness of time God sent forth his Son, to redeem all humanity. Jesus demonstrated his purpose and response to the Messianic appointment when he went to the temple and read from the prophet Isaiah in Luke 4:16-21, as quoted below:

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Jesus fulfilled all the Messianic prophesies and ensured that the plan of salvation was put into action

3. Jesus completed the all the task required for our salvation
The second clause of verse Hebrews 12:2 tells us that “…Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”. In John 19:30 just prior to Jesus breathing his last breat he utter the words “It is finished”, this indicated that Jesus had ensured that every step that was necessary for us to obtained salvation was carried out and carried to the finish! We need not worry whether the plan of salvation has been executed. Jesus ensured the every task was completed.

4. Jesus guarantees the final culmination of our salvation

Two passages of scripture illustrate this last point very well:

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Jude vs. 24 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…”

Jesus not only initiates our salvation, but continues it and guarantees its ultimate consummation at the coming of Christ. He is able to save, able to keep and sanctify!! We don’t need to worry if we can complete this journey we have started. Jesus ensures that he provides all that we need to make it into heaven.

CONCLUSION
This salvation, of which we are a part, and to which all are invited, is a well thought out plan. It has been demonstrated to be effective for almost 2000 years. It comes with a guarantee and is backed up by no less a person than the great God of heaven. If you have been looking for a sure investment, this is it!! It will never fail! So if you have not yet accepted this plan of salvation, I implore you to do so now. God is ready to meet your needs, ready to forgive your sins, ready to fill you with the Holy Ghost. Ask for water baptism in the name of Jesus as this too is necessary for salvation. Seek him today. It the best decision you’ll ever make!!