Friday, January 27, 2012
FINISHER
The word finisher is applied to Jesus in the Book of Hebrews and comes from words that have in view "to complete," "to make perfect"; hence, it means finisher in the sense of completing. The King James Version of the Bible uses the phrase, "the author and finisher of our faith," others say "the author (margin "captain") and perfecter of our faith." With the power of faith, most probably the best rendering is "the Leader (or Captain) and Perfecter of the Faith." That is of the faith which has been illustrated by those mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, who are as "a great cloud of witnesses" to the power of faith; but above all "looking to Jesus, our Leader" in whom it was perfected, as is shown in what follows: "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross." "In His human nature He exhibited Faith in its highest form, from first to last, and placing Himself as it were at the head of the great army of heroes of Faith, He carried Faith, the source of their strength, to its most complete perfection and to its loftiest triumph" (Westcott).
Jesus is the finisher of faith, he completes faith. Our response is to come to "his faith" concerning his triumph at the cross. His victory becomes our victory as we place our faith and trust in him and him alone. As he said, "It is finished."
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus
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