Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given Him by the angel even before He was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so His parents took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—”either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Luke 2:21-24
I left you yesterday with the questions:
Why was Jesus circumcised?
Is there a link between circumcision and naming?
Why was Christ circumcised, since he had no impurity of nature, which circumcision supposed? Neither did he need any circumcision of the heart, which circumcision symbolized. Though He didn’t need it himself, it was the duty of his parents to do it, since all the male seed of Abraham were obliged to experience it. Besides, it was necessary that he appear in the likeness of sinful flesh, who was to bear and atone for the sins of his people. He was a son of Abraham, and of his seed, as it promised He should be. He came to fulfil the Law and was obliged to it, as every one that is circumcised. He set an example, that we should tread in His steps. In doing so, He removed all excuse from the Jews, that they might not say that he was an uncircumcised person, and so not a son of Abraham.
Why is the link between circumcision and naming the child?
The ceremony of Brit Milah, held on the eighth day of boy’s life, is composed of three parts:
- Blessing and Circumcison Kiddush (Blessing)
- The naming of the child
- Shared meal to celebrate the occasion.
It is interesting that in the midst of the circumcision ceremony as the baby is brought into the room and handed over for the actual circumcision the guests greet the baby with “Baruch HaBa” which means “Blessed is He who comes {in the Name}.” The Name refers to YHWH. The One coming in the Name is none other than Messiah. In this case indeed, the baby is none other than Messiah. All the generations that have gone before and the coming of the Messiah has been symbolically remembered, have been prelude this moment for this One. Highly significant! Circumcision is linked to Messiah. I wonder why because the Jews missed the point. What was most significant about the first Coming of Messiah is the fact that He came to shed His blood. In Genesis 17 the significance is that the covenant of circumcision is linked to The Covenant. The Covenant God promised to His people is premised on Messiah’s sacrifice. It is clear that the shedding of blood at circumcision has a link to the ultimate sacrifice. Indeed at the end of the circumcision ceremony the parents leave their sacrifice of a pair turtledoves or two young pigeons. This child of theirs is the one who has come to abolish the old law and usher in a new means of dealing with sin and the need for sacrifice. It is all linked together.
Furthermore it is highly significant that His name is to be Jesus or Jeshua which means “Salvation”. Already we have had several hints at the covenant and salvation from Mary, for Zechariah and from the angels. The reason this One has come is to fulfill the covenant and to provide for our salvation. Little wonder in this case that circumcision and naming are united. In naming Him “Saviour,” and in the act of circumcising Him, it was symbolic of the removal of the body of sin. He “suffered it to be so, because thus it became Him to fulfil all righteousness” (Mat 3:15).
The circumcision of Christ had a profound bearing on His own work – which few rightly comprehend. For since “he that is circumcised is a debtor to do the whole law” (Gal 5:3), Jesus thus bore in His flesh the seal of a voluntary obligation to do the whole law. Something was only possible in His flesh since the fall. Because He was “made under the law to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal 4:4-5), the obedience to which His circumcision pledged Him was a redeeming obedience – as a “Saviour.” How fitting that He should be called Saviour for He will save His people from their sins.
Oh yes it was very significant that circumcision and naming go together in one package. In this case (and in the naming of John) the name is given from heaven.
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