The Fast: DAY 20
Friday, January 23
Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”
Devotion
In the desert, after God redeemed the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt, He laid out a series of rules they were to follow. He said,
“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5)
A handful of chapters later, after God finished laying out His rules, the Israelites responded with one voice, saying,
“Everything the Lord has said we will do.” (Exodus 24:3)
Immediately after agreeing to God’s covenant, God gave the Israelites instructions on how to build a traveling sanctuary – a tabernacle – where His Spirit would physically dwell among them in a more permanent way. Up until this point, God had been leading their camp in a pillar of smoke by day and in a pillar of fire by night. That way, regardless of whether it were day or night, they could still see where they were going (Exodus 13:21). The instructions included plans for an ornate curtain, or veil, which would separate two areas of the Tabernacle called the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.
Because God Himself appeared in the Most Holy Place behind the veil (also called the inner sanctuary), the veil could be thought of as separating a holy God from sinful man. It was incredibly important because, according to what God told Moses in Exodus 33:20, no one could see His face and live.
The Most Holy Place was off-limits to everyone but the High Priest. Once a year, the High Priest could enter, and only with the blood of sacrifices to offer for the sins of himself and the Israelites (Hebrews 9:7). Once a year, every year, the High Priest would enter for the atonement of his sins and the sins of his people. Every. Single. Year.
That was until the curtain was torn from top to bottom after Jesus was crucified.
If you’ve ever read the book of Exodus, you might have noticed the plans for the Tabernacle are incredibly meticulous—so meticulous that they, the plans for the Tabernacle’s contents, and their recorded construction take up the last 15 chapters of the book. Have you ever wondered where those plans came from?
According to the book of Hebrews, it seems like they came from the Temple in Heaven itself, the Temple Jesus went into on our behalf (Hebrews 9:11, 24-25).
Jesus didn’t enter the Most Holy Place in Heaven with the blood of goats or calves. He entered with His own blood, once for all, to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
"Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." (Hebrews 9:28)
If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you’re probably familiar with the ship dropping anchor as it reaches port. We’re accustomed to watching anchors go down, but the anchor in Hebrews 6:19 goes up—to the temple in Heaven. It’s not based on circumstances, good deeds, or even obedience. It’s based on it being lodged in Heaven itself, in the inner sanctuary behind the veil.
This hope does not come from our grasp on God. It comes from God’s grip on us, mediated through Jesus Christ, our High Priest. And this hope holds firm and secure because Jesus is already there. Hebrews chapter 6 concludes with this:
“…where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:20)
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for holding my very breath in Your hands. I am secure in Your grip, and no one can snatch me out of Your hand. I put my total trust in You and the redemption Your Son, Jesus, provided for me on the cross, giving me access to You. What an unspeakable gift! Words cannot express the gratitude for the things You have done for me. I love You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Pastor Ruff made a word analogy describing the finality of the redemptive work of Christ on the cross: cruc-‘I-FIX’-ion. When Jesus (God Incarnate) died on the cross for our sins, He declared, “It is finished.” Take the promises you have been standing on in God’s Word for your life and your family, and let your heart be rooted and grounded in them. For redemption has been paid, Jesus is our High Priest forever—“It is finished.”
Resources
- Watch “Then Jesus Came”! Discover how Jesus transforms every situation and brings hope where there seems to be none.
- Your story can encourage someone today! Share how God worked in your life during the fast and be a light to others in our community. Share your Fasting Story.
- Use this imagery of the anchor as a daily reminder: your soul is secure, not in what you hold, but in Who holds you.
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