Consider Jesus: Captain Of Our Salvation

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Heb. 2:10“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author [captain – KJV, NKJV,  pioneer – NRSV] of their salvation through sufferings.”

The word that is translated in most versions as “author” or “captain” is defined as “one that takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer.” (Thayer)  

The word “author” carries the idea of being the originator or source of a thing.  The word“captain” carries the idea of a leader or commander.  We should notice that although captain is a high office, in military usage it is a field officer, one who is out with the troops.  When we combine the ideas of both author and leader, we find the idea of “pioneer,” as the New Revised Standard translates it.  Think of Daniel Boone who blazed the trial way west by going himself through the wilderness and leaving a path for other to follow.  He both led and showed the way.  This is exactly what Christ did in respect to salvation.  He both originated and led the way.  We must give careful consideration to Him if we wish to go in that same way.

Consider Jesus: Bridegroom

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Jn. 3:28,29“You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full.”

John the Baptist, who came as the forerunner of Christ, knew his place. Some of his disciples reported to him that Jesus was making more disciples and baptizing many more people than he was – and man who was named for the teaching the he introduced. John’s disciples seem to think that their master should be afforded more honor than he was currently receiving. But John knew his place.  He was not the center of attention – Jesus was.  

John was like the best man at a wedding.  The best man has an important role to play, but soon fades to background.  John tried to get his disciples to consider the importance of Jesus.

Luke 5:33-35“And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers; the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same; but Yours eat and drink.” 34And Jesus said to them, “You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.”

The leaders of the Jews did not recognize the importance of Jesus either.  They tried to force on Jesus’ disciples their ritualistic practices that were supposedly expressions of contemplation and sorrow. (These are good things to be sure, but not in the traditional, artificial ways that the Jews demanded that they be observed.) Jesus said that when the groom is with the wedding party it is not time to show sorrow, but to rejoice. The Jews did not consider the importance of Jesus being with them. 

Consider Jesus: Bread of Life (Living Bread)

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Jn. 6:32-35,47-51“Jesus therefore said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” 34They said therefore to Him, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.” 35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst... 47  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Bread has been the most important food, the sustainer of physical life, for the vast majority of humanity.  Jesus offers Himself as a truer, better, more filling and fulfilling bread by giving true (spiritual) life.  Jesus is the way of life and the sustainer of it.  

We must partake of Jesus, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me…and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS” (Matt. 11:29), then we will have assurance of life.  

Let our mind dwell more on Jesus: the Guardian of our soul, the source and sustenance of our spiritual life, and the righteous branch of David sent by the Lord to us.

Consider Jesus: Branch

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Isa. 4:2“In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel.”

Jer. 23:5“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land.”

Jer. 33:15“In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.”

Zech. 6:12“Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts,” Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD.

13Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.  Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.’”

A “branch” literally something that comes from the same root or trunk, and in symbolic usage it means a descendant, or intimately connected follower (like the parable of the vine, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” (Jn. 15:5))  The branches can be both good or evil.  The king of Babylon was a “rejected branch” NASB, NKJV or “abominable branch.” KJV, ASV (Isa. 14:19)

With Jesus we especially want to consider what kind of “branch” He is.  He is “righteous,” “of David,” and “of the Lord.”  Here is the very specially one that Jehovah God is going to raise up.  So we see Jesus as the one who comes from David, is without sin and comes to do the Lord’s will.  We also note the prophecy of Zechariah that says this Branch will both build the temple and reign in it.  He will be both priest and king.  Surely this unique honor belongs only to Jesus.  

Remember the “Branch Davidians” in Waco led by David Koresh?  He claimed to be the Messiah who would build the Temple.  He claimed that he would fulfill these prophecies and borrowed scriptural terms to describe himself.  We know how far short of the prophecies he fell.  

Consider Jesus: Bishop

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

1 Pet. 2:25 “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” (Bishop – KJV, ASV, Overseer – NKJV)

Jesus is our great bishop – guardian, overseer, watchman and supervisor.  We need someone to watch out for us and watch over us.  Consider the condition that people are in before they find the One who can guide them in the right way. “And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt. 9:36)  This is proof of the truth that Jeremiah spoke, “I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” (Jer. 10:23)

To meet our needs Jesus shepherds and guides us for the protection of our souls.  He makes sure our soul has all its needs taken care of and is not led astray by evil or error.  So long as we submit to His leadership we are safe and secure. 

Consider Jesus: Beloved

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Matt. 3:17“and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

Matt. 17:5“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’”

See also Matt. 12:18; Mark 1:11; 9:7; 12:6; Luke 3:22; 20:13.  In Eph 1:6 Jesus is simply called “the Beloved.”  Beloved means “worthy of honor, esteem,” and thus very dear to us.  God loved Jesus to an infinite degree.  It is the greatest measure of God’s love that He loved us enough to sent His own Son for us.  

As we consider Jesus whom God loved, we also consider other children of God whom He loves, namely us.  “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you…” (2 Thess. 2:13)  “To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints” (Rom. 1:7)  As Jesus was loved (and we are told that we are loved); and as He loved, we are to love each other.  There are many examples of brethren having such love for one another:  “Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant” (Col. 1:7) “Our beloved Barnabas and Paul” (Acts 15:25) “Luke, the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14).

Confidence that we are so loved should cause us to act properly, as Jesus did.  “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Cor. 10:14)  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)

Surely we should consider these things about Jesus.  As we do our appreciation for His work and labors for us will cause us to grow into the love that we should have for him and our brethren. 

Consider Jesus: Author And Finisher Of Our Faith

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Heb 12:2“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter (finisher – KJV, NKJV) of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus not only revealed the faith to us but He also both wrote it and lived it.  There are many who can deliver a message that other write.  But who can author the way for men to live?  (Ref. Jer. 10:23).  But in Jesus we have the One who could write it, reveal it, and then live the perfectly right way.  He brought the faith to life in His life.  

Consider Jesus: The Anointed

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Acts 4:26,27 “The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ. (Anointed – ASV, Anointed One – NIV)

27For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed,”

To anoint means to consecrate, especially to an office or some serious or somber purpose.  Anoint is the Greek word “chrio,” and “christos” is the Greek word for Christ.  Literally “Christ” means “anointed one.”  Jesus was the “Anointed One,” the Messiah.  

Jesus was consecrated to His holy office and God sent Him to do His redeeming work.  “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38)  Jesus quoted a prophecy of Isaiah saying this same thing at the synagogue in Nazareth to start His public work.  “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE DOWNTRODDEN” (Luke 4:18)

Consider Jesus: The Amen

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Rev. 3:14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:”

Amen means “true” or “steadfast and firm.”  We say “amen” to signal our assent to the fact that what we have heard is true.  We most often do this after prayers.  Jesus is our statement of confirming truth.  By Him, His life, character, power and promises we know the truth.  2 Cor. 1:20   “For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”  What we know of Him is our confidence to believe every promise of God.  Whatever God has said can be “amen’ed” (stated and fully known as true) because of Jesus.  The more we consider Him the more our confidence in the complete truth of all that God has spoken to us.  

Beginning And End, First and Last

Beginning And End

Rev. 22:13  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Jesus is from the beginning and will be at the end.  In fact, He is before the beginning and will be after the end.  He is the summation and purpose of all as well as the creator and sustainer of it.  He started it. He’ll end it. It not just all about Him, but it was about Him before it was and it will still be about Him after it is over.

Beginning Of The Creation Of God

Rev. 3:14  “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:”

Yes, the creation began with Him because He created it, but He is also the most important part of the creation. 

First And Last

Rev 1:17  “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,”

Rev. 2:8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:”

Rev. 22:13  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

These continual descriptions of Jesus as being from beginning to end and first to last affirm His divinity, eternality, power.  But I believe that they especially convey to us preeminence.  Paul sums up the preeminence of Christ in everything in Col. 1.  “And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.” (Col. 1:15-18)

Alpha And Omega

Rev. 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Rev. 21:6  “And He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.”

Rev. 22:13  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

“Alpha” was the first letter of the Greek alphabet (in fact we see that word “alpha” in “alphabet”) and “omega” was the last letter of the Greek alphabet.  Jesus is the “A” and “Z,” or the “beginning and the end.”  In fact, these very words are used in Rev. 22:13. 

Almighty

Rev. 19:11-16 “And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.

12  And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.

13 And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.

15  And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

16  And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

We normally think of God the Father as the Almighty.  But this title, which means possessing of all power and ruling with all authority, can apply in most contexts to the Godhead as a whole, and the clearly in this context the Jesus.

Rev. 19 presents Jesus as a mighty and unstoppable warrior, an avenging judge and mighty king in the conclusion of the war that the book of Revelation reveals.  The end of the conflict is the total destruction of the enemies of God.

Consider Jesus who an almighty conquering warrior fighting for us. 

Advocate

 1 Jn. 2:1  “My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”

He speaks and pleads on our behalf.  The word “advocate” is often synonymous with lawyer, though here obviously not with the negative connotation that often goes with  that term(for the following phrase says that Jesus is “the righteous”) but in the sense that He has access to the bar of justice and speaks tirelessly for us there.  Those who go before the Judge need competent representation, especially when there is an “adversary,” (1 Pet. 5:8) and “accuser” (Rev. 12:10) who is a “liar” (Jn. 8:44) and a “deceiver” (Rev. 12:8) standing against them. 

Consider Jesus who is one our side, continually pleading on behalf of those who seek forgiveness of sins.

The Last Adam

 1 Cor. 15:45-47  “So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46  However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.

47  The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven.”

The father of us all in the flesh is Adam.  We all descend from him, and have a physical life.  But we also remember that he brought sin into the world and so he is also the source of death for us all.  “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22)  Now in Christ we have life.  He’s like a second Adam giving life to all who will take it.  But the life He offers is a spiritual and everlasting one. 

Consider Jesus who has the power over death and offers to give life eternal to everyone.  

Considering Jesus

We are told by the Hebrew writer to give careful consideration to Jesus.  “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.  He was faithful to Him who appointed Him” (Heb. 3:1,2a)  In this text we are to consider the faithfulness of Jesus to doing the will of God.  “but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” (vs. 6)  The faithfulness of Christ is a great thing for us to consider and to imitate. 

But there are many other things for us to consider about Jesus and draw lessons from.  Just the vast variety names and titles of Jesus given by inspiration should stop and give us pause.  Starting with descriptions as Adam (the last), Advocate, Almighty, and ending two hundred descriptors later with Witness, Wonderful and Word (of God and of Life), we find a breadth of words to communicate to us something of His position, mission, character, power, majesty, and dominion.  Truly he is “the Alpha and the Omega” Rev. 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13 (or as we would say in modern idiom, the A to Z of it all).  For us, He is everything, and He is all. 

Because of this, we do rightly consider Him all that we can.