DRAWING NEAR
December 28
The Author of Our Salvation
"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).
Through His death, Christ became the perfect leader for His people.
As we look at what Christ has done, we must never forget that He was
fulfilling the sovereign plan of God. The writer of Hebrews tells us
it was fitting in God's sight for Christ to bring many sons to glory.
That means everything God did through Christ was consistent with His
character.
The cross was a masterpiece of God's wisdom. It displayed His
holiness in His hatred of sin. It was consistent with His power:
Christ endured in a few hours what it would take an eternity to
expend on sinners. The cross displayed His love for mankind. And
Christ's death on the cross agreed with God's grace because it was
substitutionary.
To bring "many sons to glory," God had "to perfect the author of
their salvation through sufferings." The Greek word translated
"author" (archegos) means "pioneer" or "leader." It was commonly used
of a pioneer who blazed a trail for others to follow. The archegos
never stood at the rear giving orders; he was always out front
blazing the trail. As the supreme Archegos, Christ has gone before us
--He is our trailblazer.
Life seems most anxious and dreadful when death is near. That's a
trail we cannot travel by ourselves. But the Author of our salvation
says, "Because I live, you shall live also" (John 14:19). Only the
perfect Pioneer could lead us out of the domain of death into the
presence of the Father. All you have to do is put your hand in His
nail-scarred hand and He will lead you from one side of death to the
other. Then you can say with the apostle Paul, "O death, where is
your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:55).
Suggestion for Prayer:
Praise God for all His attributes, specifically for each one
displayed in Christ's death for you.
For Further Study:
Read Hebrews 5:8-9 and 1 Peter 2:19-25. How do those verses expand on
Hebrews 2:10?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Hebrews 5:8-9 (NKJV)
8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which
He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal
salvation to all who obey Him
1 Peter 2:19-25
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one
endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults,
you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take
it patiently, this is commendable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He
suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who
judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,
having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes
you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to
the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Articles/2425
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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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