Circumcision and Life

From LifeDate – Winter 2005.

Circumcision and Life
by Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb

I haven’t checked, but the Gospel reading assigned for the Circumcision of our Lord has to be one of the shortest Gospel readings ever.

“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived” (Luke 2:21).

I suppose the Circumcision of our Lord is not something we think about celebrating much. This time of year the focus is on the celebration of our Lord’s birth. Plus, since the Circumcision of our Lord falls on January 1, a “New Year” focus often takes precedent. But there is much worth celebrating in this “least of all” reading. There is much here for the “For Life” Christian to ponder.

“On the eighth day . . .” Why eight? It is not a very “Biblical” number as numbers go. Seven would seem more appropriate. I read a study once that indicated that clotting time for newborn babies peaks at eight days. In other words, if you are going to make a baby bleed, the eighth day would be a good choice! The Bible, of course, is not a biology book, but with all the advances in biotechnology, it is good to be reminded that God does know His biology! He has not stepped away from that which He created, but uses it and works through it.

“It was time to circumcise him.” That could be put another way as Paul does in Galatians: “born under the law” (4:4). Jesus placed Himself under God’s law. He did so to identify with those under the law’s curse. He did so to keep that law perfectly in our place as part of removing its curse. Jesus not only died for us, He was born for us and lived for us. God not only credits our “account” with Jesus’ perfect death on the cross, but we also get credit for His perfect life. What a comfort for those of us whose daily life is filled with imperfections. What a comfort for those who have one “big” imperfection—like the sin of abortion—that just won’t let go of their conscience. When God looks at us, He sees the perfect life of Jesus!

“He was named Jesus.” “Because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The circumcision foreshadows the “how” of this salvation—blood. With the shedding of blood there is forgiveness. With the shedding of blood there is cleansing. I had a post-abortive woman tell me once, “I feel so dirty.” Those who have committed such sins not only need to hear about the forgiveness of the blood of Jesus, they need to hear about the cleansing that blood brings. They are declared pure and clean. No wonder Paul compares Christian baptism to circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12). In our baptism we are washed clean. Daily remembrance of our baptism brings assurance of this cleansing.

“. . . the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.” Here the Holy Spirit reminds us that “Jesus” is a Heaven-given name for this Heaven-sent Savior. But we are also reminded of when the sending happened—conception. Here is the great miracle we often associate with the celebration of Christmas. But God became a human being nine months before Christmas. Miraculously, Jesus is conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit using Mary’s egg but no sperm. Our sinfulness from the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5) made it necessary for Jesus to assume our humanity from that moment. Jesus’ conception, therefore, attests to the fact that we are all human beings from the moment of conception.

What will you be doing New Years Day? Remembering the past? Looking forward to the future? It is a good day to do so. But you might also want to remember a baby long ago being circumcised. There is much in that event that gives hope for the future.

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