The whole Bible tells the story of Jesus, and reading Romans this morning, I read something that I had never thought of in that light before.
“For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.” Romans 2:25 (ESV)
The only one who ever fully obeyed the law was Jesus. And He was circumcised as the Covenant made with Abraham required.
“And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” Luke 2:21 (ESV)
Then He obeyed the law perfectly, was sacrificed for our sin, and we can be imputed with His righteousness.
“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:11-13 (ESV)
Many look at circumcision as an outward act, a ritual or tradition. But that is not what it was meant to be.
“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” Romans 2:28-29 (ESV)
May our celebrations of Christmas not be merely outward, but inward from the heart, led by the Spirit of God.
Hallelujah!
Diane