Fellowship Reformed Church (a Bible-believing Presbyterian church in Mount Pleasant, MI), hosted Sammie Placencio as a guest preacher for our Sunday evening church service. Sammie Placencio is currently a pastoral resident at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI. And he is attending seminary at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He preached a sermon on Hebrews 6:19-20 titled, “Anchored behind the Veil.”

The sermon text (Hebrews 6:19-20) is as follows: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” 

From this text, Sammie identified several key ideas about Jesus, and the way that we’re anchored by him in the Christian life. Sammie explained that in the ancient Mediterranean Sea, many ships used a variety of things (rocks, pieces of metal, etc) as anchors. But at times, storms would be severe enough that the anchors would fail. The boats would no longer be stable and anchored, but they would be vulnerable to shipwreck from the storm. But Sammie contrasted this with Jesus, who is identified as our “hope” – not just a wishful thought, but a real expectation of future security. Whereas earthly anchors may fail, those who are trusting in Jesus are anchored in a way that’s unbreakably safe.

And specifically, Jesus anchors us “behind the veil.” This is a reference to the Holy Presence of God. As our forerunner, Jesus makes a safe entry for us to gain access to God’s presence. And just as he is now securely seated in God’s presence, all who trust in him are likewise anchored permanently. Our future in God’s presence, with Christ, is already decided upon. Our future is unmoveable and certain. All because we have a living hope, a steady anchor, and a faithful forerunner in the person and work of Jesus.