… ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter 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.

Supreme focus in the Christian life is none-other than Jesus. While the full and appropriate reference to Him, as we might make the case, is “The Lord Jesus Christ,” here we find simply His earthly name. It is not that the name Jesus was unique, there were others with that name. But this Jesus, the “Son” of Hebrews 1:2, on whom we are to focus is the singular author and perfecter of faith. While the Old Testament believers were faithful, it was not a perfect faith, for they did not fully understand how the cryptic promise to Abraham would be fulfilled, and in fact never saw the fulfillment of those promises. To put it another way, the ultimate object of faith had not yet come.

But now in Christ, the fulfillment of the promise for blessing has come, faith now has the completed focus—in Christ. This perfection came when He became the perfect sacrifice for our sins. “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 of their salvation through sufferings” (Heb 2:10).

He is the “author” of our faith as well. Some translations render this “pioneer” or “founder.” He is, in the words of Revelation, “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” (Rev 21:6), the complete package, the consummate fulfillment of all of God’s intention for His image-bearers.

Thus we can see why Jesus saw His task of sacrifice as a “joy.” Some have suggested that this “joy set before Him” is comprised of all those who believe. The prospect of “bringing many sons to glory” (Heb 2:10 as noted above) excited His passions, for that is the reason He entered into the world from His glorious position at the Father’s right hand. Because of this He was willing to “endure the cross, despising the shame.” It was not a cake-walk (Hebrews 5:7); He was certainly not a masochist who enjoyed pain. While we fix our eyes upon Him, He fixed His eyes upon us. And we share in that joy with Him. “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession…” (Heb 3:1). Like John the Baptist, we want to, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29); like the apostle Philip, “we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21).

Furthermore, when we look to Jesus now, we see the One who is already seated at the ultimate position of prominence, at the right hand of God’s throne!

Father, I am overwhelmed when I consider the One in Whom all the promises to Abraham are fulfilled. He is Your Son and my Savior, in whom I believe.