God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6:17-19
Paul is telling us here something about the nature of Jesus (the hope of our salvation and therefore the anchor of our soul). He IS God, He makes a promise with us that He will not break. He stands by His Word. He is constant, He is a rock.
Just as we need to be anchored by a seat belt in turbulence on a plane, a building needs a strong foundation to stay standing, a climber needs a safety rope (and we could go on) you and I need an anchor in our soul to keep us stable and confident through the good and the bad of life.
Specifically there are 3 things we find in Hebrews 6 that Jesus cannot do that make Him the secure rock of our lives:
1. HE CANNOT LIE
In the movie ‘Liar, Liar’ Jim Carrey finds himself unable to lie. The problem is that doesn’t cover up his nature – when asked by a colleague “Do you like my new dress?”, he replies “Yes, anything that takes the focus away from your head!”. Not very nice!
So it isn’t even that Jesus cannot lie, its that He IS the TRUTH. That means that every word He speaks His entire being supports. He doesn’t say one thing and feel another.
When He says I will fulfill my promise to you – He will do it AND He wants to.
When He says He will always be with you – He means it and He loves to.
Hear His voice today. One word from Jesus will drop an anchor into your soul.
2. HE CANNOT MOVE
An anchor fixes itself to the seabed, grips a rock and remains immovable. The chain to the boat takes the strain of the water currents while the boat happily rests on the surface of the water.
Jesus the anchor, will take the strain of your life so you can walk through life with rest in your soul. He doesn’t move, go anywhere or take a break. He doesn’t have a bad day, wake up in a mood, or even a bad hair day! He simply IS – the I AM, God Himself – He cannot be moved by emotion or circumstance. When He was laughed at for saying a dead girl was just sleeping, He carried on anyway and healed her. When Mary accused Him of being late and therefore the cause of Lazarus’ death, He loved her anyway and raised her brother from the dead.
Some of us have to shut out the voices of ridicule, guilt and other distractions, sometimes even from people who are close to us and take hold of the anchor, Jesus, who keeps on going, stays on course and is unmovable. He is your rock.
3. HE CANNOT CHANGE
“Ah no I’ll have the blue pair instead of the red ones”, “oops did I say the burger, I think I want the salad instead”
Jesus doesn’t waver like we do between 2 opinions. He doesn’t change His mind.
More than that He doesn’t change at all! He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Every good & perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
He chose you, He hasn’t changed His opinion
He died for you, He hasn’t changed His decision
He said you will overcome, He hasn’t changed His mind
He said He will never leave you, He hasn’t changed His position
He said you’ve hope-filled future, He hasn’t changed His thoughts about you
He will complete what He has begun in you. He sticks to His course. He didn’t lie, He hasn’t moved and nothing has changed – He is Jesus, the anchor of your soul.
Have a great week – see you in Church.