Most often (like maybe always) I think of our hope as a hope which looks up to heaven. But this morning I’m reminded it’s also a hope that should prompt me to remember what’s behind the curtain.

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 ESV)

Next chapter we’ll get into the implications of “the order of Melchizedek”, but this morning I’m chewing on the implications of a high priest who has gone behind the curtain.

One not only permitted into the inner place, but One wholly at home in the Holy of Holies. The place where the glory dwells. The place where the presence of God resides. The place where, if forever atonement is going to happen, it’s going to happen there. The place where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.

A forerunner. Noodle on that.

The high priests of Aaron’s line were also permitted into the inner place, but only once a year, and that as an exclusive invitation. No one else but Aaron & Co. could enter. They weren’t forerunners, they were a sole-runners. A one of a kind.

But Jesus, our great High Priest, is of a different sort altogether. Able to enter the inner place freely because of a perfect and holy life, making the way for others to enter because of His perfect and holy life. A life offered up for us as the once forever sacrifice for our sin. A life imparted to us through regeneration forever securing our salvation. A salvation which gives us hope. A hope tethered to the mercy seat. Though behind the curtain and unseen today, imagined only through the eyes of faith, a hope which acts as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.

To be sure weary saint, look up and cast your mind’s eye on the heavenly city to come. But equally sure, behold the curtain, enter by faith into the inner place where Jesus has gone ahead of you and even now makes ready a place for you. And there know afresh the reality of the anchor which holds fast amidst the storm. Tethering you not as some erratically bobbing buoy battered by the waves, but enveloped in the Savior’s arms, secure in the Spirit’s power, stable in the Father’s steadfast love.

Behind the curtain. An anchor tethered to the inner place. Sure and steadfast.

Be still my soul.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

Be Still My Soul (Finlandia)

Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In ev’ry change He faithful will remain
Be still my soul thy best thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end

Be still my soul thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past
Thy hope thy confidence let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last
Be still my soul the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below

Be still my soul the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord
When disappointment grief and fear are gone
Sorrow forgot love’s purest joys restored
Be still my soul when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last

Be still my soul begin the song of praise
On earth believing to thy Lord on high
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways
So shall He view thee with a well-pleased eye
Be still my soul the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine

Jane Laurie Borthwick | Jean Sibelius | Kathrina Amalia von Schlegel
© Public Domain