“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 6:19-20).
The Christian has an anchor for his soul – hope. It is undergirded by faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1).
The Christian’s hope is “both sure and steadfast.” But just how is this hope sure and steadfast?
It is both sure and steadfast because of the unchangeableness of God’s will: “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Heb 6:17-18). God keeps His promises; He cannot lie. And His promise of spiritual blessing through the seed of Abraham – through Christ – was confirmed with an oath (Gen 22:15-18) in which God cannot lie.
It is both sure and steadfast because the anchor of hope is cast into heaven itself – “which enters the Presence behind the veil.” The sands of time bring constant change and instability here on earth, but heaven will remain when all on earth is brough to an end.
It is both sure and steadfast because of the object of the Christian’s hope – Jesus Christ – who has gone into heaven itself: “where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus.” And as the forerunner, He has gone into heaven to prepare a place for His own: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn 14:3).
The Christian’s hope is both sure and steadfast because of what Jesus has done and is doing: “having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” First, His high priesthood tells us of His sacrifice. But unlike the high priest of the old covenant who entered once a year into the Holy of Holies with the blood of another to offer sacrifice for his sin and then for the sins of the people, Jesus offered Himself as one sacrifice once for all people for all time: “But now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb 9:26). And secondly, as High Priest he continues to make intercession for the Christian who comes before the throne of God: “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25).
How can the Christian bear through sickness, loss, disappointment, uncertainties, discouragement, conflict and persecution for doing what is right, and even just everyday struggles that can wear one down? Because this hope he has as an anchor for the soul! Christian, consider and lay hold of the hope set before you! -Larry Jones