The Author and Finisher of our Faith

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Jesus is our example. We should look to Him as our example in every situation we face. I remember the first time it struck me that He agonized over facing the cross. Before that day, I either didn't give it much thought or I thought, "He's Jesus...and that made it easier for Him to handle anything".

It was the night when I faced my own cross...at least the heaviest cross I had been asked to bear so far. (And, no...I don't mean to compare what I faced to bearing the sins of the world. But, for me it was the most agonizing thing I had faced at that point in my life.) It was our third pregnancy. After losing our twin daughters, we were apprehensive about having another child. And, even more so when our obstetrician noted a problem with the ultrasound and sent us to the high-risk pregnancy doctor. That's where we heard the words "incompatible with life" to describe our son's situation. That's the moment when the darkness smothered me...the moment when I had never felt more forsaken.

I couldn't sleep that night. The tears wouldn't stop. The pain wouldn't subside. There was no where to find relief. Desperate for comfort. Desperate for hope. Just desperate, I searched the scriptures, struggling to read through my tears. "Jesus is my example," I thought. "Show me, Lord. Show me the way to walk this path. I want to please you... I want to trust you...but I don't want to lose another child. My heart is broken..."

The first verses I read were in Hebrews 12:2 ...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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Two truths slammed into my heart. 1. Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame. It wasn't easy for Him. 2. He did it for the joy set before Him. There was a purpose...our salvation and His glory. There would be joy on the other side of the suffering.

Then, I looked to Luke 22:39-44 and focused for the first time on the agony of my Savior. What did He do when He was in agony? He prayed. He asked the Father three times "Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from Me".
Then He said, "nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done." Then, an angel appeared and strenthened Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling on the ground. (verse 44)

This was our Savior, our Redeemer, our King...in agony. What did He do? The more agony He felt, the harder He prayed. He poured out His requests to the Father, but inevitably trusted the Father for what was best. Faith. Trust. Abide. Humble to the Point of Laying Down His Very Life. He accomplished the task, and all the while, He kept His eyes on the prize...the "joy that was set before Him".

Whatever you are facing today, whatever sorrow, disappointment, longing, suffering, or pain...He knows the depth of your agony. You can look to the "author and finisher of your faith". He will carry you through the agony to the joy set before you. We do not follow a God who doesn't understand our suffering. He has walked through the valley of the shadow of death. In fact, He conquered the very power of death... for us. And one day...one sweet day...He will wipe away all of our tears. Just take His hand and let Him lead you...