30th April

Have you thrown out the anchor?

The anchor is a steel instrument with two or more branches which hang onto a chain. The sailor throws the anchor to the bottom of the water to hinder the ship from drifting. The security it procures depends on the nature of the ground on which it is resting. All precautions are taken in order that it can resist the gust of winds of a stormy sea, if necessary. On the whole, there are several anchors in a ship. One of them, the strongest one, which only is used at the last moment used to be called the mercy or salvation anchor.

The anchor with it's characteristics of safety and firmness is a nice picture of the believer's hope based on Christ. This hope keeps us attached to God's residence at the rock of his unchanging faithfulness. For the believer it is a firm comfort to know that he has an indissoluble friendship with Christ. When the deed on the cross was accomplished Christ entered into heaven as our forerunner (Hebrews 6, 20).

This is the only time when the word "forerunner" is used in Scripture. It was a very significant name given to a small launch which detaching itself from a ship would bring the anchor to a sure place in the port to ensure the security of the whole crew. This is what Jesus is for us in the spiritual way. As the first one he entered into God's presence to prepare a place for us, and like the invisible chain of the anchor our faith binds us together with him.