Hebrews 6:13 – For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

14 “I will certainly bless you,
and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. (NLT)

This passage speaks of God’s promises which are assured to us through Jesus, our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.  In order to properly understand this passage, we need to understand Melchizedek.

Much speculation has been given as to the exact identity of Melchizedek.  In Genesis 14, Abraham encounters Melchizedek, who serves Abraham bread and wine.  What we do know of Melchizedek is that he was the king of Salem (which means peace), and God’s high priest.  In the Old Testament, the high priest would intercede between the people and God.  The order of Melchizedek (also mentioned in Psalm 110) refers to the Messiah who would become the ultimate intercessor between humanity and God.  Keeping this in mind, let’s consider the rest of this passage.  

The writer of the Book of Hebrews was encouraging the people not to give up the hope that they had found in Jesus.  We should note that this was the hope to come beyond this life.  Consider verses 18 & 19:  “Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” The writer speaks of going through a curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.  In the ancient Jewish Temple, only the high priest would be able to pass through the curtain into the presence of God.  While we know that spiritually God is present with us, we can trust in Jesus that one day we will be in the very presence of the fullness of God – into the inner sanctuary.

Verse twenty states that Jesus has already gone through this curtain and entered into the inner sanctuary.  Consider the words of Jesus in John 14:2 – “I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (NIV) Writing for a Jewish/Christian audience, the writer of Hebrews shares a similar message – Jesus has passed through the curtain into the presence of God, and he will lead us through, as well.

Jesus, our High Priest, has prepared a place for us in the presence of God!  That’s Good Stuff!  Today, let’s rejoice for our High Priest!   

Posted by Ramón Torres