THE FORERUNNER -- MONDAY:
" Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6:19-20)
The advantages of the believer are ALL affiliated with our association with heaven. All of the required graces we receive are from heaven. Grace, peace, faith, love, mercy, help –they all come from heaven (Rom 1:7; Phil 1:29; Eph 6:23; 2 John 3; Heb 4:16). Earth is always a disadvantage, and never an advantage. The world is always to be overcome, and never to be loved or set forth as the object of conformity. The objective of our earnest quest is "those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Emphatically, our affection is placed "on things above, and NOT on things on the earth" (Col 3:1-2). This perception is a fundamental one, and is required if Scripture is to be understood, bringing hope to our hearts.
It is with this truth in mind that our text points us upward to heaven. Our hope, or the Object of our hope, is there. That hope is an "anchor" for the soul, keeping us from drifting upon the erratic sea of life. It will keep us from despairing, stumbling, or falling into the snare of the wicked one. It is a hope that goes further than flesh can see or reach–"within the veil."
By saying this "hope" is "an anchor for the soul," a great deal is made known about our makeup. Our soul is the expressive part of us. It is where both trouble and comfort are experienced, confidence and despair, joy and sadness. The soul, by its very nature, is unstable. It vacillates, rising and falling amidst the circumstances of life if not dominated by a higher life. Often we must say to our souls, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance" (Psa 42:5-6,11; 43:5). How we need something to stabilize our souls! Praise God, our text affirms God has provided this need through Jesus Christ!
Our "hope" is placed where we are destined to go–heaven! In salvation, we are being prepared to make the full transition from earth to glory, and corruption to incorruption.
In order that due preparation may be made for our arrival, the "Forerunner" has entered heaven "for us." This is the Lord Jesus Christ, or, more precisely, "the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5). He has entered heaven "for us" in the sense of representing us. To put it another way, He is the "Firstfruits" of the larger harvest to come. As it is written, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming" (1 Cor 15:22-23).
The presence of Jesus in heaven is the guarantee that we will also be with Him, fulfilling His revealed desire: "that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). In fact, were it not for Him being in heaven, we could never expect to be there.
But there is more significance to the word "Forerunner." The very word suggests that a path was traversed to arrive "within the veil." There is a course, or route, that leads there from this world, and it must be followed. Isaiah depicted it as "an highway," and "a way." This is a special "way" that can only be occupied by those who have been made clean. As it is written, "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein" (Isa 35:8). It is a way characterized by "holiness," and just remaining in it guarantees you will not fail to reach the goal. It is a way God has "made in the wilderness" (Isa 43:19), Divinely constructed for traffic that is going from this world to the world to come.
The first Person to travel this way from the beginning to the end is the Lord Jesus Christ. He safely negotiated the entire "way." However, the way was not made for Him. It was made for us. He traveled the road in our behalf, and entered heaven as the "Forerunner" for us. He sanctified the way for our use. He also directs us as we run the course with patience. That is why we "look" to Him (Heb 12:1-2). Thank God for the "Forerunner!"
PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for the Forerunner, Jesus Christ, who sanctified the way to glory and to Yourself. Give me grace to remain in the center of that way, not wandering near its edges.