The Author of Our Salvation - Protestant Caucus/Devotional

"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).

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" (archēgos) means "pioneer" or "leader." It was commonly used of a pioneer who blazed a trail for others to follow. The archēgos never stood at the rear giving orders; he was always out front blazing the trail. As the supreme Archēgos, 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).

Praise God for all His attributes, specifically for each one displayed in Christ's death for you.

Read Hebrews 5:8-9 and 1 Peter 2:19-25. How do those verses expand on Hebrews 2:10?

Amen!

Thanksgiving For The Gift Of Life As We Face Death

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, You are the One Who made us by the strength of Your almighty hand. You crafted our bodies together in our mother’s womb and scheduled every day of our lives here on earth. You rescued us from the miry pit and redeemed us from our rebellion. Thank You, that by Your grace and mercy You gave us new life in and through the wonderful Sacrifice of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lord, we know that man has but a short time to live and that in the midst of life we are in death, for we came from the dust of the earth and our bodies also return to the dust of the earth. But we praise Your holy name that You are the Resurrection and the Life, and that he that believeth in Christ Jesus, though he die, yet shall he live.

Lord, as we face the reality of death in this world, we also glorify Your holy name for the blessed hope that is reserved for us in heaven, in and through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Our dear Saviour died for us, was buried, and rose the third day, so that we too could receive newness of life in Him and live forever with You in heaven.

Loving Lord, we rejoice in Your victory over sin, death and the grave, and thank You that death has lost its sting and the grave has been robbed of its victory, through the precious name of Jesus, in Whose name we pray. Hallelujah!

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/thanksgiving-for-the-gift-of-life-as-we-face-death-653

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