THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION                                         Hebrews 2:10

 

 

God has purposed that he will bring many sons to glory; but he has determined that he will do so by a chosen Captain, a Captain greater than Joshua, who will fight for his people and bring them safely into the Canaan of glory. Yes, God will bring his sons to glory, but he will do so only by the Captain of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. Sinners cannot come to glory but by this Captain (John 10:9; 14:6). Christ is called the Captain of our Salvation because...

 

1.      The captain has all authority and power. The captain of an army is invested with the authority and power of the king himself. The captain's word is the king's word. The king's treasures are the captain's treasures. Even so, the Lord Jesus Christ has all power and authority given to him for the saving of his people (John 17:2).

 

2.       The captain makes all the arrangements for the army's march. He decides what path the troops will take, where they will camp, and how long they will stay at any place. And he supplies all provisions for them. Even so, our Lord Jesus Christ mapped out our path in divine predestination, supplies us with our needs and directs our steps according to his wise and good providence.

 

3.       The captain's word is the law by which the whole army is governed. Soldiers are not allowed to do each one what he chooses. The troops do not make up their rules of conduct and principles of warfare as they go along. That is the captain's business. In the Church and Kingdom of God Christ gives the marching orders. They are not optional. His Word is our law. He alone determined what our doctrine and duty is, what our faith and practice must be; and he has given these things to us in his Word.

 

4.       The captain is more than a commander, he is a leader. The captain leads the way. You will never go in any path of duty, walk through any fiery furnace, go through any deep valley, climb any high hill of difficulty, or endure any temptation, but where you will find the footprint of the Crucified One., who is the Captain of your salvation.

 

5.       The captain encourages his men. When the Lord Jesus appears to us and we hear him say, "It is I, be not afraid,” that is all that is required to calm our hearts and sustain our souls.

 

6.       It is the captain's delight to reward his followers. As David's spoils were shared equally by all the army, the timid as well as the brave, the weak as well as the strong (1 Sam 30:24), so the Lord Jesus Christ will bestow upon all the many sons he brings to glory all the glory he has won. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). That means that all the glory which Christ now possesses as our Mediator shall be ours (John 17:5,22).

 

7.       The captain is responsible both for the army under his command and for the victory. It is true, we are engaged in a warfare. We must fight continually, resisting sin, contending with the world, the flesh and the devil. But the battle is not ours. It is the Lord's (Ex. 14:13-14; 2 Chr. 20:15). Christ, the Captain of our Salvation, is the One responsible for our salvation; and "he shall not fail!”