Tuesday 01 January 2008

Background

Happy New Year! And no it's not a hangover from last night - wedid read these verses only a couple of days ago but we do so nowfor a different reason!

Jewish law requires that every boy be circumcised on the eighth dayafter his birth as the sign and seal of the Covenant that God madewith Abraham (Genesis 17). Inthis covenant, God promised that Abraham would be the ancestor of amultitude of nations and give him and his descendants the land ofCanaan. This ceremony of circumcision was so important that itcould be carried out even on a Sabbath day when every act that wasnot absolutely essential was forbidden.

Jesus would also have shared this experience. The American writerand preacher Donald Grey Barnhouse suggests that, "His circumcisionwas his first suffering for us".

Paul speaks of circumcision a number of times in his letters (eg:Romans2:28-29; Galatians6:15; Philippians3:1-3; Colossians 2:10-11)but makes different theological points on each occasion.

The name that was given to this child is not unique. 'Jesus' is theNew Testament equivalent of 'Joshua' - one of the great figures ofthe Old Testament - and means "Jehovah is salvation". But inreminding us that this was the name given by the angel to Mary(see Luke1:31) Luke is wanting us to know that this Jesus will notsimply carry the name 'saviour' but in himself be the saviour.

To Ponder

In Christian terms are outward ceremonies stillimportant? What are the messages they convey?

Does the name Jesus need to be reclaimed in 21stcentury Britain? How might we go about this?

What are your resolutions for 2008? Might any ofthem relate to this passage?