Double Certainty

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hebrews 6:13-20. The author of Hebrews brings up Abraham particularly as one to imitate in faith and patience. Yet this example focuses less on Abraham’s actions and more on God’s promises. Not only did God make a promise to Abraham after He provided a sacrifice in place of Isaac, but God even swore an oath by Himself. God’s Word on its own is already entirely certain, yet for the sake of our continued encouragement to hold fast, He makes an oath to give His people double certainty that He will do all that He says. This gives us a firm anchor that will not fail, knowing that Jesus is our high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. “The New Covenant in Christ” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Hebrews. The book of Hebrews is best understood as a sermon preached to those who have gathered for the Divine Service, exhorting them to continued faithfulness to Jesus. As the Son of God and our Brother, Jesus is both our exalted King and faithful High Priest who is truly present with us so that we might fix our eyes on Him.