Sunday 9th November 2025

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰ where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19-20, NIV)

Running the Race

Birmingham City FC’s official anthem is ‘Keep right on to the end of the road’ – maybe you’ve heard it sung at St Andrews – it speaks of resilience and perseverance.  You could also characterize the book of Hebrews as the call to ‘keep right on to the end of the road’ – to keep running the race of the Christian life.

If you are a believer, how is the Christian ‘race’ going for you?  I was running along a beach last Saturday in Northern Ireland.  At times in the Parkrun I felt like it was all too much.  How was I going to keep going?  Maybe that’s you at the moment.  Or maybe you like me at other stages of the run felt good as you looked out at the beautiful view of the sea, surrounded by other runners all running the race too.  Things were going to be ok.

What will keep us secure, as we run the Christian race?  In Hebrews 6:19 we get the image of Jesus as an ‘anchor for the soul’.  This firm and secure anchor for the soul –  is Jesus, the Son of God himself.  If you want to be secure, eternally, in the presence of God – then trust in Jesus.  He is the anchor who will secure our souls, immovably, firmly, forever for all who trust in Him.

And what kind of anchor is Jesus?  Well an anchor if you like not on the seabed, but in the sky!   Because Jesus has gone into heaven – into the inner sanctuary. Behind the curtain.  Unlike the OT priests who entered God’s symbolic presence once a year in the temple after making themselves really clean.  Jesus has gone into the very presence of God.

He is our forerunner.  It is the word used in Greek literature of a few soldiers  who have gone ahead of an army and made advance preparations.  Jesus is our forerunner – preparing our way to glory, to life eternally with God!  And so it is saying here that Jesus is our anchor in the sky – the one who has gone ahead of us into the very presence of God.  Jesus, fully God and fully man forever. Representing us before God, who ever lives to plead the great sacrifice that he made on the cross (7:25).  And so what is Jesus doing now from heaven?  He’s pleading his blood on our behalf.  He gives us access to God the Father by His Spirit.  And he’s praying for us to keep running the race.

And so let’s come boldly, eagerly, earnestly, as dearly beloved sons and daughters of God to enjoy our relationship with Him as we run the race. Anchored in Jesus, our ever living, eternal, all powerful high priest.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please help me to remember the secure anchor that I have before you in Jesus, and to come boldly and eagerly to enjoy the access that I have to you in prayer. Amen

With love in Christ,
Ben Wells (Associate Minister)