Hebrews 6 reminds me of boat anchors. The type and weight required is directly proportional to the sea bottom and vessel size. An anchor must be able to hold fast through changing wind and tide, and then be hoisted safely aboard for travel. Today’s lesson is about knowing when to weigh anchor. The author continues the letter to his Hebrew brothers and sisters with a short list of basic Jewish ordinances. The hook is that each element listed is also part of the bedrock of the Christian faith. Jesus said it this way: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matt 5:17). With this perspective, he begins, “let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ” so that we can move “forward to maturity”. He then lists six points of Judeo-Christian commonality: “repentance from acts that lead to death”, “faith in God”, “cleansing rites”, “laying on of hands”, “resurrection of the dead”, “eternal judgment”. We could spend hours exploring the application of each of these topics to Messiah. For those not educated in Hebrew teaching, each of the rituals, ceremonies and festivals recognize the complete righteous authority of God. Christ is the link between God and Man. As a result, Christianity floats on the foundation of Judaism. With that understanding, let’s move forward.
The author makes a dramatic claim, “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened… who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance”. There is much detail between the beginning and end of that statement to provide context. The “enlightened” specifically includes those “who have shared in the Holy Spirit” and “tasted the goodness of the word of God”. It is critical to remember, this is written to the Hebrew people. It is easy for a Jewish convert to get snagged on traditions. Words alone cannot save, and keeping the Law cannot save. It is the Holy Spirit of God that creates the unbreakable bond. By His Spirit we are given understanding and access. You can have navigational charts of all the world’s oceans, but until you lift the anchor, you are stuck in the same place. Accepting Christ as Messiah while remaining tied to the requirements of the law means “crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace”. The blood of Christ was shed once and for all, setting us free from sin and the obligations of the Law.
Some will argue that it is unfair that God holds us back from freedom. The problem is, there are also dangers that some of us run into at full speed. We need to prepare for what lies ahead. He adds, “God is not unjust”. The voyage is long. We will encounter doubts, discouragement and fear. How do we stay eager and “show this same diligence to the very end”? The writer says to imitate those who “through faith and patience inherit what has been promised”. He gives us the example that “God made His promise to Abraham”. And reminds us that God “swore by Himself” to keep the oath. Abraham waited 25 years, but God did not fail, “Abraham received what was promised”. He offers a lifeline to all of us in our time of doubt. Because “it is impossible for God to lie”, we too are the “heirs of what was promised”. He tells the Hebrew believers that it is time to flee from the stagnant harbor and latch onto a greater hope. Jesus is the fulfilment of the promise! He says, “take hold of the hope set before us”. It requires great faith to let go of the old shelter we constructed in order to reach for something immeasurably better. He says faith in Christ is “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”. Salvation by faith provides access to the Most Holy Place in the temple. We have access to “the inner sanctuary behind the curtain” because “Jesus, has entered on our behalf”. My friend, what’s holding you back from God’s promise?