Holy to the Lord

Luke 2:21-24

When I study the Bible I often read several different Bible versions. This morning I was intrigued with the way that the King James described why Jesus was circumcised. It says: "As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth up a womb shall be called holy to the Lord" (Luke 2:23).

I liked the imagery. "openeth up a womb" is much more descriptive than "every firstborn male". The KJV's specific wording of "holy to the Lord" instead of the NIV's "consecrated to the Lord" also caught my attention. It reminded me of a text I read recently describing how Aaron was to be dressed as a high priest. The verse said, "Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. . . .It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD" (Exodus 28: 36,38).

Jesus was consecrated as a newborn to be holy to the Lord. He has been set aside to make us acceptable to God.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are --yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).