Last week, we saw how Christ, our forerunner, has forever anchored our souls safely in heaven. If that were all there was for us in Hebrews 6—that would be enough for a lifetime of hope. But there is more.
Please turn with me again to Hebrews 617. Look again at these precious words of security, comfort, and hope because there is so much MORE for us from God’s Word!
Hebrews 6:17-20 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
God has provided us with “strong consolation (NAS, encouragement)” (v. 18). “We who have fled for refuge” is a New Testament allusion to an incredible Old Testament example for us today. There were cities God had provided for people living in Israel in the Old Testament times, who sought protection from avengers for an accidental killing (cf. Num. 35; Deut. 19; Josh. 20).
How do we run to Him? He tells us we come by “laying hold of the hope set before us” (v. 18). What is that hope? It is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The only way to have strong confidence and steadfast hope is to seek refuge in God and embrace Jesus Christ, who is our only hope of salvation.
The Greek word in Hebrews that is translated “refuge” (in KJV, NKJV, and NASB) is the same one used in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament) in the passages describing the cities of refuge. The writer of Hebrews is telling us that the only way to experience the power of God that saves us is when we run to Him in desperation–for refuge.
And to understand one of the clearest explanations of entering into the refuge of Christ, turn with me to Joshua 20.
COR-02 – Christ – Our City of Refuge (050619AM)
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