Holy to the Lord
Eucharistic Meditation
In the incarnation, our Lord Jesus sanctified creation.
He took that which was fallen, shattered, and marred by sin in the Garden, and made it holy. The eternal Son took on human flesh, and He lived and died to break the curse of death, forever uniting man and God in perfect reconciliation. And not only did Jesus redeem a people for Himself, but He redeemed all things on earth and in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:20).
Long ago, the prophet Zechariah was given a glimpse of this glorious gospel. And in his second oracle, he includes this interesting detail. He writes, “In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘HOLY TO THE LORD.’ And the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like the bowls before the altar” (Zech. 14:20).
What this means is that all things are now to be consecrated to the Lord. Originally, the words “Holy to the Lord” were found on the priest’s forehead as he served in the temple. But now holiness is no longer confined to such things, but has spilled out into all creation. All of life is to be consecrated to the Lord; in a sense, all things are sacred – down to the bells on horses or the pans in your kitchen.
And so here we now come to receive ordinary bread and ordinary wine – the fruit of both creation and the labor of man. In this sacrament, they do not transform into something more grand or supernatural, but remain what they are – simple bread and wine. And yet our Lord, by His Holy Spirit, is pleased to offer Himself to us through them.
Therefore, as you partake of this bread and wine, let this be a reminder that all things set before you this week, all “ordinary” duties and callings, are holy endeavors to be done as unto the Lord and by His strength alone, which you receive again now. And may “HOLY TO THE LORD” be the banner over all that you do.
So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.
This communion meditation was given on December 28, AD 2025 at King’s Cross Church in Moscow, Idaho.