The Captain Of Our Salvation

by SHATTOCK, E. W. | Category: General | Jan 1954

In the eternal counsel of the Triune God it was purposed that the Son of God should become Man. Thus we read,-" It became Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Author (or Captain) of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Hebrews 2.10). In Hebrews 12.1, 2 we are exhorted to" run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author (or Captain) and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." In Isaiah 55.4, God says, "Behold, I have given Him for a Witness to the peoples, a Leader (or Prince) and Commander to the peoples," and in Isaiah 9. 6, 7 we have that wonderful testimony, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

The place of His birth was foretold by the prophet Micah in these words,-" But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall One come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting " (5.2).

These things were written aforetime concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, both as to His birth and who He really is, even the Son of God. The Eternal One became the Child born. What a picture of weakness and helplessness we see in the Babe of Bethlehem! Yet He was none other than the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

His home was in Nazareth, of which Nathaniel asked,-" Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? "(John 1.46). The Lord Jesus would borrow no glory from earth. What glory could it give to Him who was its Maker? (John 1.3). But those whose eyes God had opened could say,-" We beheld His glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father" (verse 14). Apart from His suffering the many sons could not be brought to glory.

He went from the manger to the cross, and in His lifetime He endured all the temptations of Satan. He overcame where Adam failed. On the third day He rose from the dead. Having bound the strong man He could spoil his goods.

Of Him we read in Philippians 2.8 that "being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted Him, and gave unto Him the name which is above every other name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

He is coming back soon; first, to receive His Church to Himself and later He will come to set up His kingdom, and the scripture in Luke 1. 32, 33 will be fulfilled,-" the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end," as is also testified in Isaiah 9.7, which concludes with these words,-" The zeal of the LORD of hosts shall perform this."

SHATTOCK, E. W. | Jan 1954
General