“So, when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose; He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Mel-keys-idek).” Hebrews 6:17-20
At the beginning of the book of Hebrews, written to the Jewish Christians, the writer addresses the foolishness of Judaism and the superiority of Christ. The ten commandments cannot redeem you they only point you to the One who can.
Then in Hebrews, chapter five, he switches gears and begins the “What is wrong with you?” Don’t you know better? You are still on milk when you should be moving on to mature actions. You are arguing about things that are settled instead of moving to the important ministry that God has for you to do. You are still arguing over the color of the carpet, what position the piano should be in, and who is sitting in your seat in the pew. Watch it, you might be fitting the description in Hebrews of a baby Christian!
Moving to the sixth chapter, he begins to explain why we should be mature in our lifestyle: we have hope that is sure and steadfast. That hope is a promise from God, it is not secured with anything or by anyone in this world, it is designed by God Himself.
Look at the first part of this passage: It says, “God desires” that we be strongly encouraged. The writer of Hebrews has given you some important facts. One is God’s purpose and promise to Abraham which was that he would have many descendants and they would bless nations and out of his descendants would be kings and they would possess all the land God promised to Abraham. Now Abraham was 75 years old when this promise was made and was 100 when his first son, Isaac was born. I don’t know about you, but my faith would have sure been tested. The second important fact is that God’s purpose was given with an oath or covenant Himself.
Tying the first part of the scripture to the rest of the scripture is important. The writer is pointing out that we are a part of that promise. As a Christian, we are heirs of the same promise and purpose. Our faith in God, as Abraham’s faith in God, gives us a hope that is secured by the oath of God and bought by the blood of His Son. Jesus Himself said that Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing the salvation of the Lord. (John 8:56-58)
The writer then moves to the point that we run into the refuge for strong encouragement that we might hold fast to the hope that is the anchor of our soul.
I read an illustration that helped me put into perspective the anchor holds as used in Hebrews: When a storm is brewing, a fisherman will take his anchor and climb up in the rocks to find a solid and secure place so when the water rises and the wind tosses the boat around, the anchor will keep the boat from breaking away into the sea. We may be more familiar with the anchor being dropped down into the water to hold us in place as we fish or to steady the boat in case of a storm. Either way, the Hebrews writer used the anchor to portray strength and steadfastness.
As if all of this is not enough to give you strong encouragement, the author references the traditions of the Old Testament or old covenant in order to help them understand who Jesus is and that He is much more than what the high priest in Jewish traditions was.
Look what Matthew recorded. Matthew 27:50 “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit and behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Let me give you a little more background from the Old Testament and Jewish Talmud to illustrate how meaningful and purposeful the tearing of the curtain from top to bottom was and how that fits into our secure anchor.
The original temple had three sections: the first curtain separated the people from the priest. The second curtain separated the priest from Holy God. The third curtain which was 60’ long and 30’ tall and 4” thick and was reported to have taken 300 priest to manipulate it. It was filled with God’s presence and the Ark of the Covenant. Once a year the high priest, who was the only one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, would take a blood sacrifice to be sprinkled on the mercy seat to make atonement for the sins of the people.
That is why it is so significant that Matthew included in his book the fact that when Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. This was final, no longer was there a need for a high priest because Jesus was now the highest of high priest on our behalf. He is, was, and continues to be the only atonement acceptable to Creator God.
John recorded what Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” John 14:6
Understanding of these two passages contributes even more insight into the passage in Hebrews: Jesus is the high priest forever and He is the only way to the Father. It gives us more knowledge of just what the writer was trying to say about the importance of hope, secured for us by Jesus who is our High Priest making intercession to God on our behalf.
When you placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it is through Him that you have been redeemed, secured, and are being held firm. He is your intercessor. Through Him you have communication with the heavenly Father and have been given a gift of spiritual guidance through the Holy Spirit. His death on the cross provided that passage from death to eternal life. He is the steadfast anchor that holds.
There is nothing in this world that will give you the strength and courage and confidence to stay strong in the middle of a storm except that assurance that Jesus Christ has put that anchor squarely in the presence of almighty God.