A steadfast hope
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,” Hebrews 6:19 NASBS
Beloved of God, lay hold of the hope that is set before you in Jesus Christ, Who is at the right hand of the father on high. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever.” In his Priestly service, He stood between the sins of the world and the perfect righteousness of God, offering His body as a living sacrifice to atone for the sins of all who come to Him in faith and repentance. “For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” Therefore, “if anyone sins, we have an Advocate a with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sin,” in which He intercedes on our behalf. Understand, “The LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering.”
You see, though Jesus is eternal, with no beginning and no end, “He emptied Himself, taking the form of slave, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” For Jesus was made for a little while lower than the angels, “because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”
By giving up His own life for us, Jesus granted us all the rights and privileges that came with Him. These eternal blessings of His unwavering obedience towards His death are shared by everyone who believes in Him. Charles Spurgeon penned many years ago, “Consider this, believer. You have no right to heaven in yourself: your right lies in Christ. If you are pardoned, it is through his blood; if you are justified, it is through his righteousness; if you are sanctified, it is because he is made of God unto you sanctification; if you shall be kept from falling, it will be because you are preserved in Christ Jesus; and if you are perfected at the last, it will be because you are complete in Him.”
Christian, when Jesus cried, “It is finished” it was a joyful echo in heaven and dismay in hell. It was then He was laid in a grave lifeless. The stones covered Him and the earth imprisoned Him for three days. But behold on the third day, the Father raises Him from the dead. This is the evidence, the seal, and the pledge of our hope. We need ask no more. It satisfied God, so shall it satisfy us. Beloved, “Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”