Author and Finisher of
Our Faith (Jesus)
Hebrews
12:2 (NKJV)
…
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 has sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God.
When you describe
someone as an author you imply they are a creative person. They take a blank
piece of paper and turn it into something beautiful by simply adding words. A
true author creates things that have never existed before outside of his or her
mind. Imagination is the only restraint.
The writer of Hebrews
chose this word, author, to describe the role Jesus plays in the life of the
Believer. The Greek word is archegos,
and means, “author, captain, prince.” Other translations of scripture use words
like “source and founder” because the root meaning of this word is “chief
leader.” Regardless of which word you prefer it means the same: it all begins
with Jesus.
The second word in this
name given to Jesus is the Greek word teleiotes,
which means, “a completer (i.e. consummater), finisher.”
Paul said the same thing
in Philippians.
Philippians
1:6 (ESV)
And I am
sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion
at the day of Jesus Christ.
I love the picture used in Hebrews of the author, because I can very easily imagine the Father writing the story of my life. He is the ultimate creative. When He sent Jesus into our world it was for the purpose of showing us the love the Father has for His creation. Jesus did everything the Father wanted Him to do. He started things in motion that will not cease until we are reunited with Him at the end of the age. He provided the title page for our life-book and then began writing. The Holy Spirit has continued that work, and through that same Spirit, Jesus will write the epilogue when our time here is completed.
The real question in all
of this is the part in between the title and epilogue. One writer refers to
this as your “dash,” as in the dates on your tombstone. The beginning and
ending are etched in the stone, but all that describes what took place is a
simple dash. But, that is the most important part! How you live your life
matters and that is why Jesus remains a part of your life. He wants to help
with each chapter, each sentence, even the very letters that make up the words.
The psalmist described
this activity as, “thy word is a lamp unto my feet.”[i]
Another place it says, “Order my steps in thy word.”[ii]
John declares that Jesus is The Word. I believe that’s why the King James
interpreters used “Author” to refer to Jesus. He is the very Word of God. He
was in the beginning before creation. He is now at the Father’s side in Heaven.
We will join Him there when our time is up.
Which words will you
allow Jesus to right into your story? Any plot with Jesus in it is a good one.
All of His stories are best sellers! Even if your story has a rough beginning,
the Author can take even the most twisted plots and make them end well. That’s
the rest of the story! He is also the Completer, Finisher, and the One who
writes the final chapter.
Regardless of how you
see your “dash” up to this point, Jesus makes it an amazing life. Decide now to
hand the keyboard to The Author and Finisher of Our Faith so He can write the
words into our life that will turn our hearts back to the Father, and make our
lives become a sweet-smelling sacrifice of praise unto Him.
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