Daily Lesson for June 4, 2019

Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Hebrews chapter 6 verses 17 through 20:

17In the same way, when God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it by an oath, 18so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. 19We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.

There is a legend that says when the High Priest would pass through the curtains and enter the Holy of Holies to offer blood and sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, they would tie a rope around his waist so they might pull him out should his sacrifice be found unworthy and he be struck dead inside.

Attached to Christ our rope does something else. Having been found worthy to enter into the oneness of eternal life with God, He has set down at the right hand of God in the heavens.  Tethered to Him, it is our hope which is affixed to Christ just like the rope affixed to the High Priest. But instead of using our rope to pull the High Priest out, it is our hope that pulls us inward, into the sacred mystery of the future. 

Our hope, tied to Christ, gives us courage to keep walking, to keep striving, to not grow faint, or weary, and to not be afraid. Tethered to Christ as our anchor, we walk with faith even amidst these dark times, “trembling not” for evil, but rather knowing our salvation is assured in Christ and our hope is tied to the one who is and was and will be again and who shall judge the nations in justice and righteousness and the people with grace and with mercy and the wisdom of the ages. 

So then, let us tie our rope of hope today. Let us keep walking, and fear nothing. For the High Priest has entered the holy throne room, and He bids us to follow in faith and with the courage of our deepest and most hopeful convictions.