“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” ~Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
My wife and I met at a Bible school in Seattle. I had just finished getting my two year associates degree in Biblical Studies and she was just embarking on her two years there when we first met. I was on staff for the school in a Christian band that traveled around the country doing concerts in various churches. After she had completed her first year I asked her to marry me. After her second year and receiving her associates degree in Biblical Studies we got married.
The Bible and Jesus the author of it has always been the focus of our marriage and our lives as parents and now grandparents. If you ask any of our children and grandchildren, they will tell you that Jesus is the central focus of our lives. We feel very blessed to say that our three daughters have also chosen to make Jesus the focus of their lives, and their marriages and parenting as well.
The writer of Hebrews is inspired by the Holy Spirit to tell us to run in this race of life in such a way that we keep our focus on Jesus who is the founder and perfecter of our faith.
The word "founder” is a rich word in the original Greek language. The Greek word archegos means the chief leader, a Hero, prince, or King, author of the book, leads the charge, a trailblazer or pioneer who cuts through the wilderness ahead of all others, one that takes the lead in any thing and is an example, a predecessor in any matter, a pioneer, a founder or builder of the city.
The word “perfecter” is the Greek word teleiote which means one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.
It’s important that a leader of anything focuses their attention on the ultimate leader and final authority in all of life. As parents, as leaders of families, it is important to do this because of the young ones that are daily looking up to you. As you know, children follow your lead in many things but especially in matters of faith. Jesus is the one that is best to follow through every circumstance of life, especially through the thicket of difficulties and areas of life you have not yet traveled.