Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith
The designation of Jesus as the “author and finisher of our faith” in Hebrews 12:2 stands as one of the most profound and encouraging affirmations in the New Testament. This phrase encapsulates the unique role of Jesus in the origin, sustenance, and completion of the believer’s faith. It is a title that not only points to the sufficiency of Jesus in salvation but also provides a model for Christian endurance and hope.
Context of Hebrews 12:2
The epistle (Greek word for “letter”) to the Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians facing hardship, persecution, and the temptation to abandon their faith in Jesus and return to the old covenant practices. The author’s purpose is to encourage perseverance by demonstrating the superiority of Jesus over all previous revelations and mediators, including angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith,” recounts the examples of Old Testament saints who lived by faith, even though they did not receive the fullness of what was promised.
Hebrews 12 opens with a call to endurance: “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 (author and finisher) of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). This verse compares our life and the events that unfold to a race, where those who were faithful in the past are like onlookers cheering us on, and Jesus stands as the perfect example and the one who empowers our faith.
Jesus as the Author of Faith
To call Jesus the author of faith is recognizing that faith begins with him. He is the source and initiator of our trust in God. Faith itself is a gift from God, which the New Testament teachings iterate time and time again. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Similarly, Philippians 1:29 states, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” Faith is not something that originates in human effort or willpower; it is the gracious work of Jesus, who calls, enables, and sustains those who trust in him.
Jesus as the Finisher of Faith
As the finisher or perfecter of faith, Jesus brings faith to its intended goal. He not only initiates faith but also brings it to maturity and completion. This involves both the believer’s perseverance in the present and the ultimate fulfillment of faith in the future. Paul expresses a similar idea in Philippians 1:6: “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.” Jesus is not a distant observer; he is actively involved in your journey, ensuring that faith is preserved and perfected until the end.
Hebrews 12:2 continues, “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.” Jesus is the supreme example of faith. He endured the ultimate suffering and shame of the cross, motivated by the joy of accomplishing redemption and being exalted to the Father’s right hand. His faithfulness in the face of suffering is the example and the power needed for us to endure our own trials.
The phrase “despising the shame” shows the depth of Jesus’ obedience. Crucifixion was not only physically agonizing but also socially degrading, reserved for the lowest criminals. Yet Jesus willingly embraced this path, disregarding the shame because of the greater joy set before him. Philippians 2:8-9 says, “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.”
In the midst of physical and emotional agony, by faith Jesus saw the end, and it was absolutely beautiful– the salvation of his people and the glory of God.
What Does it Mean that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of Our Faith?�
The identification of Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith has several important theological implications.
Salvation Is Entirely of Grace
Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace from beginning to end. Our faith is not self-generated but is initiated, sustained, and completed by Jesus. As Romans 3:10-12 affirms, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Left to themselves, people do not seek God or produce saving faith. It is Jesus who draws, enables, and perfects faith in those who are saved.
Assurance and Perseverance
This truth provides assurance and encouragement for perseverance. Because Jesus is both the author and finisher of our faith, believers can be confident that their salvation is secure. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:12, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” The Christian life is not a solitary struggle; it is a race run in the strength and sufficiency of Jesus. He guarantees the outcome.
The Call to Fix Our Eyes on Jesus
Looking to Jesus is central to the life of faith. We are called to fix our gaze not on our efforts, circumstances, or even the examples of other believers, but on Jesus himself. He is the pioneer who has gone before, the perfecter who brings faith to completion, and the exalted Lord who intercedes for his people (Hebrews 7:25). This focus on Jesus is both the means and the goal of perseverance.
The Model of Endurance
Jesus’ endurance through suffering provides a model for believers facing trials. The Christian life is often described as a race marked by obstacles, opposition, and hardship. The example of Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before him, encourages us to persevere, knowing that present suffering is not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed (Romans 8:18). The “cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 11 testifies to the reality of faith, but Jesus is the ultimate witness and enabler.
Practical Implications for the Christian Life
The truth that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith has practical implications for daily Christian living.
Dependence on Jesus
We are called to a posture of dependence and surrender to Jesus, which is hard to do in this rigid culture of hyper-independence and societal encouragement to rely only on self. But Truth calls us to recognize that faith is sustained not by personal strength but by continual reliance on Jesus. Many come to this realization at a breaking point, seeing how their ways have failed in the end. Dependance on Jesus is expressed in prayer, worship, and obedience, as we seek the grace and power that only the Lord can provide.
Hope in Suffering
In times of suffering or discouragement, the knowledge that Jesus has gone before and is actively perfecting faith provides hope and motivation to endure. Believers can face trials with confidence, knowing that Jesus is both sympathetic and sovereign (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Encouragement to Persevere
The race of faith is not a sprint but a marathon. We are encouraged to lay aside every hindrance and run with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. The promise that Jesus will complete what he has begun is a powerful incentive to press on, even when the way is difficult.
Conclusion - The Author and Finisher of Our Faith
The designation of Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith in Hebrews 12:2 is a profound affirmation of his unique role in the believer’s salvation and sanctification. Jesus is the source, sustainer, and goal of faith. He initiates faith by his grace, perfects it through his ongoing work, and brings it to completion in glory. His own endurance through suffering provides both the pattern and the power for believers to persevere. In every season of our life, the call is to look to Jesus, trusting that he who began a good work will bring it to completion. As the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus is worthy of our trust, our worship, and our unwavering hope.