Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor–God’s Glory through Sight, Song, and Story
As a pastor who spends a lot of time talking with and teaching children, I love and appreciate symbols. Symbols show the greatness, glory, and goodness of God. Symbols preach pint-sized, yet powerful law/gospel sermons, permeating mind, heart, and soul in a way that only God could design.
I have been blessed to talk to children (and adults) at my church and school about the powerful law/gospel meanings and messages connected to some of the more familiar biblical symbols such as:
- The rainbow God hung in the clouds over the mountains of Ararat after The Flood.
- The dove that returned with the olive branch to Noah’s Ark and the dove descending at Jesus’ baptism.
- The thick curtain hanging in front of the holy of holies in the tabernacle and temple and what it means that it was torn in two from top to bottom on Good Friday.
- The Ark of the Covenant/Mercy Seat and their significance specifically on the Day of Atonement.
- The Passover Lamb and its connection to Christ.
All of these are perhaps already familiar and beloved symbols to most of you, but what about the anchor? The anchor for me was not familiar or beloved until recently seeing, hearing, and reading more about this incredible symbol that God has given to us for his glory and our good.
In this post using sight, song, and story it is my hope and prayer that God’s glory would be revealed to you in new and more powerful ways that lead you to cling even more firmly to Christ your Sure and Steady Anchor.
- Sight: Take some time to enjoy the image by artist Chris Powers, then read about what it means– that Christ is your Sure and Steady Anchor.
- Song: Listen to the song Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell.
- Story: Read about the song and the biblical meaning of the anchor as they are expounded upon by Pastor Jon Gilmore.
SIGHT: The Anchor of My Soul
by Chris Powers
Artist Chris Powers explains his artwork:
This picture was drawn for a supporter of the ministry who asked for an illustration based on the hymn “We Have an Anchor” [by Priscilla J. Owens]. The idea of Christ as our anchor in this song was almost certainly drawn from Hebrews 6:19-20, so I incorporated that passage into the picture.
A stanza from hymn, the text of Hebrews 6:19-20, and a description of the visual exegetical process can be read below.
It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
“We Have an Anchor” by Priscilla J. Owens
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.
That’s a wonderful stanza and by referencing Christ’s hands and heart (both likely pierced on the cross), it blends the imagery of the cross and the anchor beautifully. I was also reminded of Hebrews 6:19-20:
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20
In verses 19 and 20, the author seems to be saying that our hope is bound up with the person and work of Christ and that–just as his blood-bought intercession as our eternal high priest within the True “holy of holies” is sure–so too is our hope. If Christ’s cross-achieved intercession can be dislodged, then so too might the Christian’s hope be dislodged, but–like a “sure and steadfast anchor”–it cannot.
The Person & Work of Jesus
In this picture, then, I wanted to represent the person and the work of Jesus as the anchor for our soul, the anchor talked about in the song. I did this by showing Christ crucified at the center–since ALL of his saving
Christ’s Outstreatched Hands
Jesus’ hands are lifted to show the intercessory role that he now fills before the Father on our behalf. His wounds are clearly visible because–as High Priest–he is tasked with representing man to God and representing God to man.
Fully Man & Fully God
The wounds fulfill this double purposes by saying to God, “I am fully man, representing my brothers to you, and here are the wounds that declare their sins are paid for and covered.” And Christ’s wounds declare to man, “I am fully God, representing my Father to you, and here are the wounds that declare I am Love. I have poured myself out for your sake to satisfy you with myself. All barriers are removed, come and be satisfied in me.”
The Blood-red Cord
The “cable passed from his heart to mine” is represented as a blood-red cord coming from the wound in Christ’s side (a wound which may well have physically pierced his heart) into the heart of the man on the ship. In scripture, the “blood of Christ,” often refers to his entire cross work–his death and resurrection–and that is how I am using it here.
This “bond of blood” between Christ and the man represents the fact that–through his death and resurrection–Jesus has invincibly secured us to himself, we will not be lost on the seas of life. And the fact that the cord passes from heart to heart points to the intimate and personal nature of Christ’s sacrifice…..though he died to secure his bride (Ephesians 5:25, Rev.5:9), he also loved us as individuals and gave himself up for us as individuals (Gal.2:20).
The Stormy Seas
Lastly, and perhaps obviously, the sea is pictured as stormy….neither you nor me nor the writer of the hymn, nor the author of Hebrews expect life to be easy…..if we can be sure of anything in this life it is dark, frightening, and dangerous storms……but by depicting the steadfast anchor of Christ in the midst of the storm, I am hoping to proclaim that even when the worst happens….our firm anchor–the eternal work and the sovereign person of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom are bound up all of our hopes–will not falter and will not budge…..like a leaden weight being pushed by a flea….and, by his grace through faith, we are bound to him by “cables passed from his heart to ours.”
Glory to his sure and steadfast name!
SONG: Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor
by Matt Boswell/Matt Papa
In 2014, the rich symbolism of the anchor was put to song by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa in their hymn, Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor. Take a good long listen.
Lyrics
(Verse 1)
Christ the sure and steady anchor, in the fury of the storm
When the winds of doubt blow through me and my sails have all been torn
In the suffering, in the sorrow, when my sinking hopes are few
I will hold fast to the anchor, it shall never be removed
(Verse 2)
Christ the sure and steady anchor, while the tempest rages on
When temptation claims the battle, and it seems the night has won
Deeper still then goes the anchor, though I justly stand accused
I will hold fast to the anchor, it shall never be removed
(Verse 3)
Christ the sure and steady anchor, through the floods of unbelief
Hopeless somehow, o my soul, now, lift your eyes to Calvary
This my ballast of assurance, see his love forever proved
I will hold fast to the anchor, it shall never be removed
(Verse 4)
Christ the sure and steady anchor, as we face the wave of death
When these trials give way to glory, as we draw our final breath
We will cross that great horizon, clouds behind and life secure
And the calm will be the better, for the storms that we endure
(Tag)
Christ the shore of our salvation, ever faithful ever true
We will hold fast to the anchor it shall never be removed
© 2014 Doxology & Theology, Love Your Enemies Publishing. CCLI Song No. 7045331. This chart is the property of Southern Baptist Seminary. CCLI No. 55425. Unauthorized distribution is prohibited. Words and music by Matt Boswell/Matt Papa
STORY: The Anchor in Scriptures
by Pastor Jon Gilmore
Among the many symbols of Christ in the Scriptures, the anchor might be missed. A familiar word (even to those who may never have stepped foot in a boat), this essential nautical device has only been mentioned a handful of times in the New Testament (ἄγκυρα in the original Greek). Luke uses the word three times in Acts 27 in its literal form. Caught in a terrible storm, the prisoner ship carrying the apostle Paul to Rome is blown across the Mediterranean and nearly crashes into the shores of the island Malta, saved for a night only by dropping four anchors from the stern of the ship.
The Anchor in Hebrews 6
The other singular occurrence of the anchor is found in the book of Hebrews, a letter most distinguished for its use of Old Testament symbols regarding the priesthood. Defending the perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ and the assurance of God’s promises, the anonymous author writes:
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:17-20 (NIV)
An Oath as Well
As if one promise of God were not enough (seeing as it is ‘impossible for God to lie’), God purposed to give the heirs of this promise an OATH as well. The promise, of course, is that one given to Abraham (Genesis 12). The oath is less obvious, but certainly, context points us aright. The oath is delivered prophetically through King David, speaking of his future heir and the King of Kings, or Priest of Priests:
The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Psalm 110:4 (NIV)
Eternal Encouragement
Do you see the encouragement here of which the Hebrews author speaks and which he hopes to convince his readers of? God has secured a high priest forever to intercede on behalf of his people, and that priest is none other than the pure and spotless Christ himself! One only need to follow this course of argument throughout the rest of Hebrews to see that God has purposed to provide a convincing assurance of salvation through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
An Anchor Beyond the Veil
As the writer goes on to describe the function of the priest, the symbol of the anchor becomes potent. Beyond the veil through which we cannot pass nor see, Christ has gone on our behalf to reconcile us to God. The hope that is ours because of Christ’s righteousness (the message of the gospel) is like the hope, or the faith, of the sailor depending on the anchor cast into the water. It journeys beyond sight to secure a firm hold against the threat of unpredictable currents, driving winds and surging waves.
Hope Immovable and Secure
Along with the promises of God for our good, we’ve also been promised that our pilgrim journey through this life will be hard (Jn. 16:33, Acts 14:22, Rom. 8). Sin is the guarantor of trials, of doubt, of unbelief, of pain and sickness and death. Without some assurance beyond ourselves, the storms that arrive will surely wreak havoc and potentially sink us or, at best, blow us off course. Yet as we ‘fix our eyes on Jesus’ in such inevitable times, we find this hope immovable and secure (Heb. 12). It shall never be removed!
So what do you think about the anchor as a biblical symbol now?
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Mark Parsons
Originally from Montrose, Colorado, Mark served the family of believers at Christ the King Lutheran in Port Charlotte, FL from 2009-2013 and since January of 2014 has been serving as Pastor of School, Youth and Family Ministry at Faith Lutheran in Fond du Lac, WI. He and his wife Molly have three children, Jonas, Annabella, and Emmalyn. He enjoys dance parties with his children, working out in his basement with his wife, and running around Fond du Lac training for Tough Mudder or a marathon. Pastor Parsons and his family are faithful Denver Broncos fans in a sea of green and gold. In addition to his roles and responsibilities at Faith, Pastor Parsons is the chief content curator for Bread for Beggars and the director of Fuel Student Ministry.
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