Holiness to the Lord

 February 9, 2024

When in the Bible the High Priest entered the Tabernacle, he wore special, very costly vestments—linen robes, engraved jewels in settings of gold, and a unique turban with a golden plate engraved with the words “Holiness to the Lord.” Those words would literally be on his forehead every time he served in priestly capacity.

Today, Christians recognize Jesus Christ as our High Priest; the one who intercedes between God and ourselves, but we too, are given priestly responsibilities in this world. We are charged with being the ones who intercede in prayer for men and women before God. Though we are not the High Priest, we would do well to have at the forefront of our minds the same words as those on the ancient high priest’s turban: “Holiness to the Lord.” Imagine what griefs we could avoid, what sorrows we wouldn’t have to endure, what sin and shame that would never sully our name as Christians if we would keep before us that single thought; “Holiness to the Lord.”

St. Paul echos this with his word to the Corinthian Christians: “Bring every thought captive to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) My thoughts tend to be like cats—they run every which way. I have to continually grab them and corral them in. As soon as I get one hauled in, another breaks loose and I have to chase it down. It is a never ending battle, but one that must be won at any cost, for it is in the mind that we win or lose. Lose the thoughts, and we lose at life.