Christ, Our Predecessor

Hebrews 12 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. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Many have a misunderstanding of the phrase "author and finisher of our faith." For one, you will notice that "our" is in italics in the Authorized KJV indicating that there is no direct underlying Greek word(s) for "our".  Some translations do not use the word "our" at all.  Thus, the verse could read, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith..."  

This makes logical sense in the grander context of Hebrews 10-13.  In the immediate context, this makes even more sense.  The author has just finished the well-known exposition on "faith" (Hebrews 11) and exhorts the reader with a "wherefore" charging them in light of those who lived by faith in time's past.  

In the New Covenant, we look to Jesus as the author and finisher of faith.  He becomes the chief exemplar and predecessor of the race we are striving to run.  He has set the tone for us and we are following Him.  We are not puppets nor was this verse meant to indicate that God implanted faith in us and that He is doing the faith as we sit idly by.  No, we are charged to lay every weight and easily besetting sin aside in order to truly look to Jesus who has authored and finished what faith truly means and looks like in the New Covenant.  We are to consider Him as we walk in covenant with God.

Christ, Our Predecessor!

Zion's Harp #57

​1. Come, follow me, the Saviour spake,
    All in my way abiding!
    Deny yourselves, the world forsake;
    Obey my call and guiding!
    O bear my cross whate’er betide;
    Take my example for your guide!

2. Yea, Lord, Thy image lights the way,
    A holy life displaying;
    Who comes to Thee and follows Thee
    Is led from his dark straying.
    Thou art the way and well dost show
    How man should sojourn here below.

3. As Thou in true, obedient love
    Didst give Thyself up wholly,
    I give myself to God above
    To do His will here solely.
    If I but follow Thee alone,
    I’ll stand at last before Thy throne.

4. Thy heart in lowliness abounds;
    Thy soul with love is glowing;
    And from Thy lips are words and sounds
    Of meekness overflowing.
    Thy heart abounds with pitying thought,
    E’en for the foe who knows Thee not.

5. Thou teachest us to shun and flee
    What harms our soul’s salvation,
    Our heart to purify and free
    From sin’s abomination.
    Our Shepherd true Thou art always
    Who seeks what in the desert strays.

6. And if too hot we find the fray,
    Thou at our side art ready,
    Defending us, to lead the way
    At all times firm and steady.
    A coward he, who then can pause,
    When our brave captain leads the cause.

7. Who loves his life here more than Thee,
    Without Thee he shall lose it;
    Who consecrates it all to Thee,
    In God will introduce it.
    Who bears no cross, nor follows hard,
    Deserves not Thee nor Thy reward.

8. Then let us follow our dear Lord,
    Bearing the cross appointed,
    And bravely clinging to His Word,
    In suff’ring be undaunted.
    He who shall bear the battle’s strain,
    The crown of life shall there obtain.