Day 276 - Hebrews Sunday (chapters 5-7)
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” (Hebrews 6:19 ESV)
In the sport of bowling, they call the last bowler listed in the game as the anchor man. It is his job to anchor the team with a good game. Usually the anchor man is the best bowler on team.
In the letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is referred to as a priest after the order of Melchizedek numerous times. Melchizedek was both a high priest and a king. Jesus was and is the ultimate and perfect Priest and King as well as Prophet.
It was the duty of the high priest to make sacrifices for the sins of the people behind the curtain in the holy of holies, the most sacred part of the tabernacle and then later, when it was built, in the temple.
But what does this have to do with hope? It was all about hope in the Old Testament times, as the high priest’s sacrifice reminded the people that their only hope of forgiveness would come through the shedding of blood.
When Jesus died on the cross, He shed His blood for the forgiveness of all people, giving everlasting hope to all who believe.
It is this central Biblical promise that serves as the anchor for the child of God in all of the many storms of life.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In ev'ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
(The Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #575 v.2)
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my anchor man, holding me safe in Your forgiving arms. Thank You for shedding Your blood for me and my salvation. Please keep me close to You today, tomorrow and forever. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion table this morning.
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