Our Sure and Steady Anchor (Hebrews 6:13-7:28)
The sermon outline can be found here in the ministry guide.
Jewish author Elie Wiesel was 15 when he and the rest of his family were sent to a concentration camp in 1944. He suffered unspeakable horrors, including the murder of his father, mother, and sister. In 1960, Wiesel penned these harrowing words in his memoir, Night: “Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed.” Yet, despite enduring such unbearable grief and pain, Wiesel continued to cling tenaciously to hope. He said in a Nobel Lecture in 1986, “Just as man cannot live without dreams, he cannot live without hope. If dreams reflect the past, hope summons the future… Hope is possible beyond despair.”
Hope is invaluable. We can bear the loss of all things, but we cannot endure the loss of hope. It is fundamental to our wellbeing. Hope turns our gaze beyond our present troubles towards a better future. Hope gives purpose and meaning to life. In a fallen world racked by anguish and distress, many are searching for hope—something to get them through the day and give them a reason to get up in the morning. What are we hoping in? Can it carry us through the uncertainties of life and the certainty of death?
Hebrews repeatedly urges us to cling on to hope. “We are (God’s) house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. (Heb 3:6b)” “We desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end. (Heb 6:11)” “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. (Heb 10:23)”
Hold fast to the hope we have in the gospel because Jesus, the better high priest, guarantees it. In Christ, we have a sure hope and have a better high priest.
But what hope are we to hold on to? Our text tells us about the unshakeable hope that is our sure and steady anchor in the storms of life. Such hope is not wishful thinking or blind optimism. It’s not simply looking on the bright side of life, naively thinking every cloud has a silver lining. Such hope does not depend on our performance, feelings, experiences, or circumstances. Hebrews urges us to look outside of ourselves and upwards to God to find true, lasting hope. This is the big idea: Hold fast to the hope we have in the gospel because Jesus, the better high priest, guarantees it. We’ll unpack this in two main points:
We have a sure hope
We have a better high priest.
We have a sure hope (Heb 6:13-20)
As we heard last week, Hebrews warns us to not remain spiritually immature but to grow up to maturity. We are encouraged to not be sluggish but to imitate “those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb 6:12b). We are to follow in the footsteps of the faithful, who kept trusting in God.
The author is thinking of Abraham (Heb 6:13). In Genesis 12, God promised Abraham, who was still childless at that time, many descendants who would become a great nation. Abraham waited patiently for 25 years before the birth of Isaac. We live in a world that stresses speed, efficiency, and instant results. We don’t like waiting. We get impatient in traffic and upset when our online shopping delivery is late. How, then, are we to cultivate patient faith?
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for”. To grow in faith, we must become more assured of our hope. And, what is our hope? We are looking forward to the fulfilment of God’s promises. Therefore, both faith and hope get stronger as we become more convinced of the truth of God’s promises. Our hope is not wishful thinking but is built on the firm foundation of what God has promised.
Abraham believed God’s promises, even to the point of obeying God’s instruction to give his only son, Isaac, as a sacrificial offering. “He considered that God was able even to raise (Isaac) from the dead. (Heb 11:19a)” Abraham was sure that God would keep His word, even if it meant resurrecting His son.
Beloved, we have a sure hope based on God’s sure word. What He has promised, He will do. What’s more, God has backed up His promise with an oath to keep His word (Heb 6:13b-14). Quoting Genesis 22:17, Hebrews says God committed, under oath, to raise up for Abraham countless offspring, as many “as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore”.
God is not like us. His word is completely true and trustworthy.
An oath is a solemn, binding commitment. When we sign a contract, we are pledging—under the law’s authority—to fulfil our legal obligations. We put things down in writing and make oaths because our word is not good enough. But God is not like us. His word is completely true and trustworthy.
So, if God’s promise ought to be good enough, why did he also swear an oath (c.f. Heb 6:16b)? It was for Abraham’s sake and ours, as the writer wrote in Hebrews 6:17. If we have believed in Jesus, then we are Abraham’s offspring. We have a part in God promise to Abraham, our forefather in the faith. In fact, we are the fulfilment of the promise, since we represent the nations that have been blessed through Jesus, the promised son of Abraham.
Yet, we don’t always live in light of God’s promises. They can seem far away from our everyday lives. We are prone to distraction, disbelief, and doubt. When trials come, our confidence in God often wavers. We wonder if we can really trust Him to take of us. We turn to worldly comforts and false hopes. But take heart. God knows our weakness. He reassures us. He doesn’t simply call us to trust Him; He wants us to know for certain that we can trust Him. Therefore, for our sake, God has guaranteed His promise with an oath. He didn’t need to, but in His kindness and compassion, He has gone out of His way to assure us that His word is true and that His purpose does not change.
We have a sure hope based on “two unchangeable things” (Heb 6:18): God’s promise and God’s oath. In both of these, it is “impossible for God to lie”. God’s word and oath are true, because God is true and His character is unchanging. As Numbers 23:19 writes, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?” God has graciously given us His promise and oath “so that… we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” Therefore, hold fast to our hope in the gospel, for God is faithful and His word is true.
This hope is founded on God’s Son, who fulfils God’s promise and oath, as it is written in Hebrews 6:19-20. This hope is the anchor keeping us from drifting away. This is our hope, when we are tempted and fall into sin. This is our hope, when we suffer pain and sorrow. This is our hope, when we are lonely, weary, or burnt out. This is our hope, when depression and despair overwhelm us. This is our hope, when loved ones disappoint and hurt us. This is our hope, when friends forsake us. This is our hope, when we struggle at school or work. This is our hope, when our bodies age and weaken. This is our hope in life and death.
Jesus is better. In Him, we have a hope that has entered into the inner place behind the curtain. Our hope is certain because it has gone into the very presence of God.
In tough times, preach the gospel to ourselves. Life may be falling apart, but we have a sure hope that will not fail. In good times when we’re tempted to trust in ourselves and our success, preach the gospel to ourselves. Jesus is better. In Him, we have a hope that has entered into the inner place behind the curtain. Our hope is certain because it has gone into the very presence of God.
Once, we had no hope and were without God in the world. We tried to find hope in ourselves, in other people, in our achievements, or in our circumstances. But nothing can truly meet our deepest need. Our sins separated us from the holy God. But God, in His grace, kept His word to Abraham by giving us His Son. God spared Abraham’s son, Isaac, but God did not spare his own beloved Son. Jesus gave his life to save sinners, dying and bearing God’s judgment in our place, if we repent and believe in Jesus. He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. Are we looking for true hope? Flee to Jesus for refuge. He has secured our hope.
Jesus has gone into God’s holy presence to atone for our sins through the priestly sacrifice of himself. Jesus is our forerunner, like a scout preparing the way. Jesus has gone ahead to where we could not go, to open the way for us to come to God. If we trust in Jesus, He brings us into God’s presence. In Christ, God is for us. We who once were God’s enemies now have Him on our side! This is our hope: that God has forgiven us in Christ, that Jesus has made us holy by His blood, that we can boldly draw near to God and find grace to help in time of need. This hope is true, regardless of how we’re doing or feeling. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. In every high and stormy gale, our anchor holds within the veil.
We have a better high priest (Heb 7:1-28)
Our hope is sure because our high priest, Jesus, guarantees it. Jesus has become a “high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 6:20). Who is Melchizedek, and how does this truth help our hope? Melchizedek is one of the more obscure characters in the Bible. He is mentioned in only a few verses in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. In the New Testament, only Hebrews speaks of him. The author was about to tell us more about Melchizedek in chapter 5. But to prepare us to receive the solid food of the gospel, he first had to exhort us to grow up to spiritual maturity and not be dull of hearing (Heb 5:11).
Now, we should be ready to hear why Melchizedek matters. Chapter 7 explains and applies Psalm 110:4, a part of which is quoted in Hebrews 6:20. Psalm 110:4 says, “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’” Melchizedek foreshadows and points to Jesus Christ. His name means “king of righteousness” and “king of peace” (Heb 7:2). Likewise, Jesus is a Priest-King who rules over us with righteousness and peace.
Hebrews 7 compares two priesthoods: the order of Melchizedek, and the order of Levi. The main point is this: The priesthood of Melchizedek is better than the Levitical priesthood. Therefore, Jesus, who is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, is a better high priest. And, since Jesus is a better high priest, He has secured for us a “better hope” (Heb 7:19b). How is Jesus’ priesthood better?
a. Superior (Heb 7:1-10)
These verses refer to an incident in Genesis 14 where Abraham rescued his nephew Lot by defeating the kings that had captured him. After the victory, Abraham is blessed by Melchizedek. Abraham then gave Melchizedek a tithe (10 per cent) of the spoils. From this, Hebrews highlights two ways in which Melchizedek is superior.
First, his priesthood doesn’t end. Melchizedek appears quite suddenly in Genesis. In a book full of genealogies, births, and deaths, the account of Melchizedek stands out because no mention is made of his family line, his parents, his birth, or death. It is as if he has no beginning or end. In this way, Melchizedek resembles Jesus in how he “continues a priest forever” (Heb 7:3). By contrast, the Levitical priests were “mortal men” (Heb 7:8). For example, we read of Aaron’s death in Numbers 20, even before the Israelites entered the land they were promised.
Second, Melchizedek is superior because he is greater than Levi’s ancestor, Abraham. Under the old covenant law, the Israelites had to pay tithes to the Levitical priests. But Abraham paid tithes to and is blessed by Melchizedek. Since it is “beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior” (Heb 7:7), it follows that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham. Therefore, Jesus, who is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, must be superior to the Levitical priests. So, trust in Jesus, the better priest.
b. Effective (Heb 7:11-14, 18-19)
Unlike the Levitical priesthood, Jesus’ priesthood is effective. The old covenant law, along with its priests and sacrifices, had no power to save. The law convicted and condemned, but was unable to cleanse and change guilty sinners. In this sense, the old covenant law was weak and useless (Heb 7:18), and “the law made nothing perfect” (Heb 7:19a). The law could not bring us back to God. Perfection here refers to the forgiveness of our sins, the transformation of our hearts, and the holiness of our lives. By exposing our sinfulness, the law increased the distance between sinners like us and the holy God.
Therefore, there was a need for another priest to arise from a different order—Melchizedek, not Aaron. A change in the priesthood means “a change in the law as well” (Heb 7:12b). Under the law, the priests had to come from the tribe of Levi. But Jesus was not from that tribe. He was descended from Judah, from the royal line of David—he is both King and Priest, just like Melchizedek. Jesus is both Lord and Saviour. The old covenant has been replaced and surpassed by the new and better covenant. So, don’t go back to the shadows of the Old Testament priesthood and sacrifices.
If we cannot draw near to God through God’s law, then how much more useless are the filthy rags of our attempts at morality or religion. We cannot be good enough for God. But he has graciously given us his Son who is good for us. So, don’t grow weary of the gospel and forsake Jesus for other things. Jesus saves. He is the better priest who has introduced a better hope, “through which we draw near to God” (Heb 7:19b). Cling to Jesus.
c. Eternal (Heb 7:15-17, 23-25)
The weakness of the Levitical priests is seen in their death. The descendants of Aaron became priests based on their family line, “on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent” (Heb 7:16). They needed a succession plan because every one of them died: The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office (Heb 7:23). As Hebrews 7:8 says, they were all “mortal men”. Jesus, by contrast, is a priest forever because He lives. The old priests have come and gone, but Jesus remains “by the power of an indestructible life” (Heb 7:16). He is the better priest because his priesthood is eternal. It will never be cut short because Jesus has already defeated death through His resurrection. He died and rose, never to die again. And we will be raised with Jesus, if we trust in Him.
We can come confidently to God because Jesus’ priesthood never ends.
Beloved, know that our Redeemer lives. Jesus “holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever” (Heb 7:24). In an unpredictable world of constant change and decay, nothing lasts. Our earthly lives vanish like the mist. But we do not lose heart, for we have a sure hope that shall never pass away. A dead priest cannot save. But Jesus is strong to save because He is our eternal priest. As Hebrews 7:25 writes, “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” We can come confidently to God because Jesus’ priesthood never ends. We may struggle to pray consistently, but we have a high priest who never fails to pray for us to persevere until the end. “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Rom. 8:34)” So, don’t hesitate to draw near to God through Jesus. He will always be there for us.
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
d. Certain (Heb 7:20-22)
Under the old covenant, the Levites were made priests simply on the basis of physical descent, without an oath (Heb 7:20). Jesus, however, was made a priest by an oath from God: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. (Heb 7:21)” Jesus’ priesthood is certain because it has been guaranteed by God’s oath. Just as God confirmed His promise to Abraham with an oath, so God has also confirmed Jesus’ priesthood with an oath. His priestly sacrifice and work will never fail to save all who trust in Him.
God will keep His oath. He will never go back on His promise to save all who repent and believe in Jesus.
Therefore, on the solid rock of these two unchangeable things—God’s promise and oath—we can trust in Jesus confidently and wholeheartedly. His priesthood will never alter or falter. God will keep His oath. He will never go back on His promise to save all who repent and believe in Jesus. So, don’t be double-minded. Rest in Jesus, for we can be fully assured of him. He is “the guarantor of a better covenant (Heb 7:22)”. In Christ, our new covenant relationship with God is guaranteed. God will remember our sins no more. He will ever be our God; we shall ever be His people.
e. Perfect (Heb 7:26-28)
Jesus is the better high priest because His priesthood is superior, effective, eternal, and certain. He is also perfect. Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to atone for their own sins, Jesus is perfectly sinless. How can we be sure of this? It’s because Jesus has been “exalted above the heavens” (Heb 7:26). His resurrection and ascension are the glorious proof that He is the righteous one who has conquered sin.
Jesus died not for his own sins for he had none at all — “He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins…” (Heb 7:27). He died for the sins of all who would trust in him. Jesus dealt decisively with our sin and guilt through the once-for-all sacrifice of Himself. He is the spotless Lamb of God who died in our place. “It was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest” (Heb 7:26) who has met our deepest need to be forgiven and made us holy and right with God. Because Jesus obeyed His Heavenly Father through his suffering and death on the cross, He has been “made perfect forever” (28). Jesus is able to make us perfect if we keep believing in Him until the end. He saves us fully and forever.
Beloved, we have a sure hope in the gospel because Jesus, the better high priest, guarantees it. So, press on in Jesus. Don’t give up. Christ is our sure and steady anchor. Encourage one another to hold fast to our hope in Him. Only Jesus the Son of God is strong and sufficient to save. Only He is worthy of all our hope.