An Anchor for the Soul

Here is the assurance to balance yesterday’s warning. If yesterday’s reading stressed the dangers, today’s holds out the most secure of promises, emphasizing the utter trustworthiness of God’s oath. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the Israelite high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make a sacrifice for himself, the priests and all the people (Lev. 16). Strict instructions were given for this holy day, and on no other day was the high priest allowed to go “behind the curtain” (19). But now Jesus has gone, not “behind the curtain” of the tabernacle, but into heaven itself, into God’s own presence. He has gone ahead of us, on our behalf, so that we might follow. He is our high priest, not of the order of Aaron, but of Melchizedek, king of Jerusalem. This will be explained in the next chapter.

Before that, the writer presses his main point, to grasp the hope that this provides (18,19). These days we use the word “hope” to refer to anything in the future that we would like to be true. “Hope” in the New Testament (Greek, elpis) has a stronger meaning. It includes “expectation,” and is used to refer to things in the future which, by faith, we know now. It is, indeed, an “anchor for the soul” (19). In this life we will have deep waters and fiery trials of trouble. Jesus does not offer to lift us out of these, but he promises his presence to bless us in them. 

These readings in Hebrews have given us a lot to think about, pray about and meditate on. May they stay with us all in the days to come, and equip us for whatever challenges lie ahead.

What is your “hope” in Jesus? How does it provide “an anchor for your soul”? Give God your thanks.