August 18

August 18.—"Which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus."—Hebrews 6:19, 20.

In the preceding words the Apostle speaks of the Christian's hope. He likens it to an anchor; and commends it as sure and stedfast. But the anchor to secure the vessel has a place of holding, so has this hope. Yet mark the resemblance and the difference between them; for every image applied to spiritual purposes teaches both by comparison and disparity. The anchor searches after something invisible; it does not rest in the water, but searches the bottom—and this hope regards something beyond our sight. The anchor is cast downward—but this hope ascends. The anchor grasps the ground—but this hope seizes something in heaven. What is it? It is Jesus—"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus."

He is called, expressly called, "our hope," and "the hope set before us." Every thing, as perishing sinners we need, is to be found in him, and only in him: for "it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;" and we are blessed "with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in him;" and he alone can encourage and justify our hope—He is the only ground of it—There would be no more hope for sinners than for devils were it not for his incarnation and atonement, who "took not on him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham," and "was in all points made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." But what are we not authorised to hope for when we think of him, and thank God for his unspeakable gift? "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

But the Apostle here particularly fixes our hope upon him—as being within the veil—and as having entered as our forerunner for us.

In truth, if our hope entered within the veil, and found he had not entered there—it would find nothing in heaven itself to fasten upon, and must shrink back in despair. But it is enough—it is every thing to find him there. Then we see that he is in a condition and capacity to save and bless us; and we resemble Jacob, when he heard that Joseph was alive, and lord of all the land of Egypt. Then we also see that he has accomplished his mediation on earth. He had taken our place; our iniquities were laid on him; and he became answerable for them as our surety. But how could we know the ransom was paid unless he was released? We know he died, but unless he is risen again, and gone unto the Father, our faith is vain, and we are yet in our sins. Therefore, says Peter, God "raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that our faith and hope might be in God." For then we know that he has accomplished the work that was given him to do; that he has put away sin by the sacrifice of himself; that he has made peace by the blood of his cross; and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

But there is an additional confirmation of our hope in the character under which he entered heaven. Enoch and Elias ascended