Heb.6:19 – This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil…
I wonder who invented the anchor? It is quite an important tool when you are out in a body of water, especially if there is a strong current or wind. The anchor became a strong symbol for Christians in the first century. They viewed their Christian walk as a journey across the sea. The resistance and trials of the Christian faith are said to be storms. This is exactly what the author of Hebrews had in mind when he spoke of the anchor that has entered behind the veil. Christ entered into heaven into the Father’s presence as a man. He is called the forerunner; in other words all of us are headed there too. This forerunner is called our anchor of hope. As we look to Him we are anchored in Christ in this life behind the veil. No storm can stop that, He is our anchor of hope. Here is how John Calvin describes this passage.
“It is a striking likeness when he compares faith leaning on God’s word to an anchor; for doubtless, as long as we sojourn in this world, we stand not on firm ground, but are tossed here and there as it were in the midst of the sea. For nowhere a haven appears to our eyes, but wherever we look water alone is in view; yea, waves also arise and threaten us; but as the anchor is cast through the waters into a dark and unseen place, and while it lies hid there, keeps the vessel beaten by the waves from being overwhelmed; so must our hope be fixed on the invisible God. There is this difference, — the anchor is cast downwards into the sea, for it has the earth as its bottom; but our hope rises upwards and soars aloft, for in the world it finds nothing on which it can stand, nor ought it to cleave to created things, but to rest on God alone.”
Over the last two years you would have to say we have faced some pretty powerful storms. Many people have been blown off their course and others have shipwrecked. For those who have set their hope on Christ, He has become their anchor. Our thoughts and our love is on the One who has entered into heaven for us.
