V. 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Here again faith is introduced under the figure of looking unto Jesus; he is here described as our pattern and example. Some suppose that the Apostle here represents Jesus as the judge who determines who shall receive the prize; but he is rather represented as our model, our leader. In the witnesses whom the Apostle had summoned in the preceding chapter we see many great actions performed through faith, but where are the actors? They have, with the rest of mankind, descended to the grave; but in looking to Jesus we see faith perfected and completed. For the joy set before Him of redeeming his people from death, of ransoming them from the power of the grave, and, in the midst of the great congregation, singing praises to his Father. Chap. 2:12. He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God.— Here we see faith perfected or completed. In all the other instances we see but the beginning of faith, but in our great pattern we see its complete triumph. As the Apostle bad already stated that the worthies who lived under the old dispensation had not received the promise; they were dead and buried, they were, so to speak, detained in the grave, that they, and those who trod in their steps, might all be made perfect in one glorious body; but we behold Jesus, after unexampled sufferings, wearing the conqueror’ s crown, and gone before to prepare mansions in which his followers may for ever dwell.