“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).
One Biblical scholar draws our attention to the significance of the word “author” in this passage…
“The word ‘author’ is the translation of archegon… The word is made up of ago ‘to lead,’ and arche, ‘the first.’ The compound word means ‘the chief leader, one that takes the lead in anything and thus furnishes the example.'” (1)
Thus, we can say that Jesus stands at the starting line as we begin the course of faith that God has set before us and awaits us as we reach the finish line. As a merciful and faithful high priest who has been made like His brothers and sisters in every way, we can look to Him for strength and encouragement as we traverse the curves, obstacles, and hazards we encounter over the course of our lives.
This passage also offers insight into Jesus’ mindset during the period of His earthly ministry: “He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him…” (CEB). So Jesus viewed His crucifixion as more than just a sacrificial offering; instead, He endured the shame of the cross with an eye towards the joy that awaited Him.
However, that joy was not for Jesus’ benefit alone…
“It is not difficult to trace an affinity between the joy of which our author speaks here and the joy to which Jesus Himself makes repeated reference in the upper room discourses of the Fourth Gospel. He tells His disciples there of His desire that His joy may be in them, so that their joy may be complete (John 15: 11; cf. 16:20, 21, 22, 24); and in His high-priestly prayer He asks the Father ‘that they may have my joy made full in themselves’ (John 17: 13).
So here, ‘the joy that was set before him’ is not something for Himself alone, but something to be shared with those for whom He died as sacrifice and lives as high priest.” (2)
So “the author and finisher of our faith” endured the cross for the joy of others, as well as Himself. Finally, Jesus emphasized the practical aspect of His work on the cross in some of His last words to His disciples…
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24).
(1) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament (Hebrews 12:2) Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(2) The New International Commentary On The New Testament – The Epistle To The Hebrews, F. F. Bruce, General Editor © Copyright 1964, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, Michigan [pg. 353]