Laws Publishing

TIME WITH GOD FOR BUSY PEOPLE

JIM LAWS

A preacher could preach for years and never exhaust the subject matter in the Bible relating to Christ. Let’s study the different ways Jesus is described in the Bible and learn more about His nature and mission.

Forerunner. Heb 6:20 states,

“where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

The word “forerunner” has a rich history. It was used to refer to military scouts who were sent before the rest of the army to take observations. It was also used

to refer to someone who was sent in advance of the king to insure the way was prepared and accessible (Isa. 40:3). You will remember the work of John the Baptist in his work as harbinger for Christ (Mt. 11:10). Christ is our forerunner, who has prepared the way “through the veil.” With his atoning sacrifice Jesus entered heaven (typified by the Most Holy Place). At our Lord’s death the veil of the temple was torn in two symbolizing the way to heaven is made available to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:8, 9). Jesus has prepared the way for us (John 14:1-3), as our hope is in heaven. (Heb. 6:19).

Author and Finisher of Faith. Hebrews 12:2 states,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

For the Hebrew writer to say that Jesus is the “author of faith” is to say that He is the source of it. He caused faith to be, since Christ is cause of salvation of the obedient (Heb. 5:8, 9). To say the He is the “finisher of faith” is to say that He has completed it or has perfected it, i.e., Christ is the example of complete faith. (I Pet. 2:21). He never faltered even in the face of death on the cross.

Alpha and Omega. Rev. 1:8 states,

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet are used in this way to refer to the first and the last. The expression is used figuratively to stand for the entirety of anything. The Hebrews said of Abraham, “he kept the law from aleph to tav,” meaning the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Hence, with reference to Christ, he is the entirety of things (Eph. 1:22). The meaning for us is clear in the light of Col. 1:28,

“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

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