Names and Titles of Jesus

  

Author and Perfecter of Our Faith

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

When confronted with an almost incomprehensible happening you will often hear the phrase, you couldn’t write it could you. It is a phrase used to describe a situation that could not be predicted.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews has until this point in his writing, put together evidence of God’s handiwork in Christ as being the source of faith and hope in spite of what seems overbearing odds to the contrary. The words Author and Finisher are in the same vain as the terms Alpha and Omega we considered earlier. Yet here, they are linked the followers of Jesus, as the word Author in this context can also mean one who takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, a pioneer. The obvious corollary of this is the title finisher or perfector. one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.

In chapter 11 the writer mentioned many "heroes" of the faith, as well as their accomplishments. This was in the context of explaining how God honours and works through true, godly faith—which is a trust sufficient to produce obedience, despite our doubts and fears.

In chapter 12  we see how Jesus again serves as the ultimate example of faith. His willingness to endure trials came from an understanding that God could, and would, "work together for good" all of those things  The end goal of Jesus' obedience was to establish the purpose we should be striving for:  our ultimate victory and reward in God through him.

Author of faith, eternal word,
whose Spirit breathes the active flame -
faith, like its Finisher and Lord,
today as yesterday the same;

To you our humble hearts aspire

and ask the gift unspeakable;
increase in us the kindled fire,
in us the work of faith fulfil.

By faith we know you strong to save 

your saving presence let us know;
Whate'er we hope, by faith we have,
future and past are present now.

To us who in your name believe

eternal life with you is given;
into ourselves we all receive,
pardon, and happiness, and heaven.

The things unknown to feeble sense

unseen by reason's glimmering ray,
with strong, commanding evidence,
their heavenly origin display.

Faith lends its realising light

the clouds disperse, the shadows fly,
the Invisible appears in sight,
and God is seen by mortal eye.

Charles Wesley