May 29, 2019 -- Hebrews 12:1-2 -- Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our Faith

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, 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.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith—this can also read: Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith. What a glorious description of Jesus. Jesus takes the initiative. He works with the Father and the Spirit to awaken us to the greatness of the salvation that is ours already and is being given to us in ever greater measure until we join Jesus in eternity. Jesus, Who Himself suffered, is the One Who perfects our faith while we suffer and endure. The Bible is our instruction manual for living so that our lives are conformed to the pattern of His.

Kids who receive “the Switch” are excited. According to the website WhatIs “In a network, a switch is a device that channels incoming data from any of multiple input ports to the specific output port that will take it toward its intended destination.” No doubt a kid who receives this will read up on the instructions or will have been tutored in its use by friends who already have one. The instruction manual is not offensive. The rules of its use are not railed against. Help is welcomed so that the gamer will be proficient.

Many times greater and with more importance we understand Jesus to be the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. He made us. He knows the ways in which we give optimum performance. He knows the boundaries of our life. Therefore:

~we want to know more about Him. We read the Bible

~following in His footsteps is our joy—He is the hero of our faith—we want to be like Him

~finding mentors who know Him well and walk with Him are the friends we want to have and learn from

~confessing our sins becomes urgent—we know our sins all too well and realize this keep us from running with endurance the race set before us—because Jesus is the perfecter of our faith we admit our sins expecting Him to change us from the inside out so sin loses its grip on us

~a kid will give up many activities in order to get proficient using the switch, not in itself a sin, but perhaps a weight that interferes with knowing Jesus better; a sinner will give up money, time, friends, family, work and ultimately his life to sin unless it is conquered by Christ; so we who know Jesus give ever greater amounts of time, more of our thought-life, and dedicate our energy to Jesus Christ—the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

Jesus, Author and Perfecter of our Faith—forgive us for the things we tool around with that waste our precious time with You. Forgive us for toying with sins and neglecting the vast radiance of the salvation You are bringing into our lives. We freely admit, it can be hard for us to understand how or even why You would be patient with us when we focus so much time and attention on ourselves and our sins. Thank You for the assurance of the passage today: You are the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. Thank You for the assurance You bring, that we are reading this today because You have not abandoned us or given up on us as hopeless. Thank You for the sure promise, the salvation You started in us You will perfect so that people will say: glory to God, that a Savior they have! It is true, Jesus, what a blessed, strong and great Savior You are! Amen.