A pioneer is one who goes before or on ahead to prepare the way for others to follow. Jesus Christ is the “Pioneer” of our salvation in that He prepared the way to heaven through dying on the cross for our sins. If we are to enter the glory of heaven we must follow Him. After enduring the suffering and the shame of the cross, He was raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God. Because He has blazed a trail to heaven, we may by faith follow Him there.
In order to be the pioneer of our salvation, the Son of God had to become like us. He who was God from all eternity became a man (without ceasing to be God) so that He might die for man’s sin and provide salvation for all who believe in Him. The creator of angels was made a little lower than the angels that He by the grace of God might taste death for us (Heb.2:9). He became like us that we might become like Him! Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17).
The great pioneer of our salvation not only prepared the way to glory He ensures that we arrive at the destination! Because He suffered temptation, He is able to aid us who follow Him when we are tempted to turn back. “For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham” (2:16). With His aid we can follow closely behind Him all the way to glory! May we ever be “looking unto Jesus, the Pioneer 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 God” (12:2).
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10).