The writer of Hebrews uses the image of an anchor to illustrate the secure position of believers in Jesus. Our anchor is solidly seated with God in the most holy of all holy places. We can relax now knowing that the sacrifice made for our sin has been fully accepted by God and we are hooked securely to our anchor. Now in Hebrews 6:20, the writer changes the metaphor from an anchor to the idea of a “forerunner.” Jesus is not only in the presence of God on our behalf, but He has saved a place for us as promised in John 14:3. Jesus says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” The writer of Hebrews affirms this truth to us by calling Jesus our “forerunner.”

Fifty years ago, Neil Armstrong was our “forerunner.” He was the first man to take a step on the surface of the moon. His quote is famous. He said, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” He understood that he was the one taking the step but he was taking it for all mankind. Spurgeon said that when Jesus entered into the holiest of all places in heaven He said, “I take possession of all these in the name of my redeemed. I am their representative and claim the heavenly places in their name.” Regarding Jesus as our forerunner, Brown observes, “This term (prodromos) was used in Greek literature to describe the function of a small party of soldiers sent fully to explore the way ahead prior to the advance of an army. Christ is our prodromos. He has gone ahead of us.  He prepares our way to glory (2:10). With such a leader who has opened the way through His own sacrificial death (10:20), there is no room for anxiety regarding His future purposes or doubt concerning His former promises.”[1]

Hebrews 6:20 ends the chapter by picking up on the earlier discussion about Melchizedek. It reads, “…where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek is meat that will help a Christian mature. The writer considers the only two places that this priest shows up in the Scriptures and explains How even this obscure character is a reference to Jesus. According to Fruchtenbaum, Melchizedek, “…suddenly appears on the scene and quickly disappears from the scene. There is no record of his origin, birth, life, death, or anything else.”[2] This is all about Jesus according to the writer of Hebrews. Then Melchizedek is mentioned in Psalm 110:4, where Jesus is clearly identified as the priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Chapter 7 picks up on these lessons and applies them to Jesus to assure us of our heavenly destiny. Truly, there is rest for our souls in Jesus.

[1] Raymond Brown, The Message of Hebrews: Christ above All, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 122.

[2] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude, 1st ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2005), 95.