He Will Bring You Safely Into the Harbor...IF...

 

 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20

 

Do you know what a Ship's Forerunner is? When I learned about this as I researched for my pirate novels, this particular passage came alive to me.  In ancient times, ships didn't have the navigation tools we have today. There were often many dangers when they wanted to enter a harbor. Sand bars, reefs, rocks, and even other shipwrecks often blocked their way Striking any one of these things could be deadly and sink the ship. Also often if the tide was out and hence, the water lower, these dangerous objects were even closer to the hull.  So, sailors would launch a smaller boat, usually manned by one or two sailors, and they'd carry the anchor ahead into the harbor. In the smaller craft, they could more easily navigate around the dangerous reefs and rocks and bring the anchor (attached to the main ship by a chain) into the harbor. Once there, they would release it, where it would sink to the bottom get a strong hold into the sand or rocks. Then, when the tide (or storm) came in, all the ship had to do was wind up the anchor chain and follow the same path the forerunners took. 

In the passage above, the ship is Salvation. Think of it as a ship similar to Noah's Ark. We, who are followers of Jesus have gotten on the Ark. But the way into safe harbor or Heaven is fraught with dangers, any of which could sink us!  Jesus is our forerunner, who because of his death and resurrection, takes the anchor and goes ahead of us into heaven, clearing the path of dangers and tearing down the veil that separates God from man. All we have to do is remain on the ship and follow Him, follow the path He took, and we will be with Him in the safe harbor of Heaven! 

 

I just love this nautical analogy. It brings to life these Scriptures for me because I can picture Jesus standing in the boat, safely in the harbor, anchored into the bedrock and waving us onward toward Him. We are already assured that we will enter Heaven because Jesus has gone before us and dropped the anchor. It cannot be moved!

 

All we have to do is stay on the ship and keep our eyes on Him. Yet, so many are jumping off at the last minute! Their gazes drift away from the Lord and they get enticed by other ships passing by. Perhaps it's a cruise ship where everyone is having fun and partying, or maybe it's a church ship but the pastor is preaching a false doctrine. Yet the words tickle their ears and entice them away from the true ship. Why? Because the true ship requires them to work, to trim sails, to swab the deck, to climb into the crow's nest and be on the lookout for enemies. They grow weary and tired of hearing that a storm is coming, tired of hearing there are enemies all around. So, they listen to the false, flowery words of a passing preacher and they leap over the bulwarks and join that ship. But oh, how sad for them. Because when that storm hits, they will have no anchor, no assurance, no way to know how to get to safe harbor.

 

Stay on the Jesus ship! No matter how rocky it gets! What a comfort it is to know that we are already anchored in Heaven!

 

 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27

“For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.” 37-38  

 

Note: I won't be posing a Friday Musings this week. I thought it best to take a break from bad news!  Enjoy Christmas with your families!