“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” (Hebrews 6:19.20).
One of the many great and exciting things about the christian life is “hope.” Hope is defined as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.“ Hope always looks forward with expectation – never backward. Here the scripture is telling us that hope is our “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul,” which hope is secured in Jesus Christ who “has gone as a forerunner on our behalf,” that is, into heaven itself, which the verse describes as “the inner place behind the curtain.”
Being in heaven, Christ represents the believer’s closeness God. No one could ever be closer to God than the Lord Jesus. John bears record that “no one has ever seen God, the only God, who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known. And this is where our hope is fixed. Thank God that we are in Him and as close as He is by faith.
We have the blessed assurance that Christ, as our Forerunner, has gone “to prepare a place for us.” He declared to His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2,3). The Forerunner’s presence in heaven ensures and guarantees that our presence will be there as well and for all eternity.
As our Forerunner, Jesus was looking beyond this earthly scene to return to heaven to be with His father and have His children there with Him. In His high priestly intercessory prayer to the Father, Jesus yearned to have His children with Him. He prayed, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that you have given Me” (John 17:24). Also in John 14:1-3 Jesus says to his disciples that they are not to let their hearts be troubled because he is going away. He assures them that he is leaving to prepare a place for them, and that He will return for them so that they may be where He is.
Jesus gives another reason why He wants us to be with Him which is, “that they may behold My glory which you have given Me” (John 14:24). Presently, the believer through faith, recognizes that the Lord Jesus is now glorified in heaven and He is “crowned with glory and honor.” But in a coming day, all who belong to Christ will see their risen Lord and Savior face-to-face forever as He appears in that Celestial place. We will also be able to enjoy and participate in the splendor of His divine glory.
The last clause of Hebrews 6:20 states, “Having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Our Forerunner is declared “a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek as a priest and a king. Jesus holds both offices is our great High Priest and the King of Kings and Lord of lords whose priesthood can never cease neither will it fail. William MacDonald writes, “His eternal priesthood guarantees our eternal preservation. Just as sure as we have been reconciled to God by His death, so surely are we saved by His life as our Priest at God’s right hand (Rom. 5:10).” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 2177).
It is most assuring to know that our Forerunner is presently seated at the right hand of our Majestic God in power and authority, and who ever lives to represent us before His Father’s throne as our advocate and our intercessor.