Foundation

 

“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right had of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2

The Source and Perfecter of our Faith sounds a bit like the beginning and the end, doesn’t it? However this name isn’t talking about Jesus’ eternality or His creative ability, so there’s definitely something here to be considered. The King James Version translates the Greek word archēgos ("source") to author. The English Standard Version says founder. All of these words are appropriate translations and together they do help us have a clearer picture of how we understand this name. Our faith- the communal Christian faith (Acts 6:7, Galatians 1:23)- is founded or based in and on Jesus Christ. There is no other person/no prophet or priest or church leader upon which we should build our faith. He is the rock and the sure foundation, tested and true for whom “the one who believes will be unshakeable.” (Isaiah 28:16)

The other half of this name strikes a chord with me- Perfecter. I don’t know about you, but I love the sound of that. I spent most of my teen years and well into my adult years struggling with perfectionism. However I have been given ample opportunities to realize that I am not and will never be perfect. At first that was a hard pill to swallow, but with time, I am finding more and more peace in that statement. I’m not perfect and no one really expects me to be. Ahhh, feels good. But it feels even better when I realize, God is perfect, and not just according to some human standard-- He is perfect in all ways. Not only that, but when Jesus walked on this earth, He was without sin. He lived a perfect life. He’s the only one who has ever done that- the only one who ever could- and in so doing, He left us an example of how we too should live. The Greek word teleiōtēs ("perfecter") can also be translated “one who completes” or finisher- as in one who finishes a race. Jesus ran the race marked out before Him and completed the faith with His death, His burial and His triumphant resurrection.

The whole time I’ve been writing, I’ve had a children’s song running through my head.

“The wise man built his house upon the Rock.
The wise man built his house upon the Rock.
The wise man built his house upon the Rock and the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up.
The rains came down and the floods came up.
The rains came down and the floods came up, but the house on the Rock stood firm!”

The storms of this world will come and I pray that when they do, your life is rooted in the Author and Perfecter of the faith.

Further Reading:
Colossians 2:6-7, 1 Peter 2:4-6, Ephesians 2:19-22, John 19:28-30

 

Lord,
What an incredible gift You have provided us through Your Son and the faith He made possible. What a comfort to know that You understand and can sympathize with all that we fear and face. Not only that, but You overcame, You conquered, You finished triumphantly.