📖 Read
Genesis 17:1-14; Leviticus 12:2-8; Jeremiah 4:3-4; Jeremiah 9:25-26; Luke 2:22-38;
🔎 Focus
“Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer.”—Deuteronomy 10:16 (NRSVue)
✟ Devotion
Circumcision is a core Jewish ritual. As such, we must remember that even Jesus was circumcised.
It might seem a minor thing to us, but it is far beyond a mere physical manifestation of the covenant between the Jews (formerly the Tribes of Israel) and God (though, that’s pretty significant).
There are Jews who believe that Abraham was “circumcised in the heart” prior to his actual physical circumcision. The Focus Scripture was Moses’ words to the Jewish people who were circumcised. Jeremiah’s words struck the same chord.
Circumcision is certainly more than a physical act. As an act, is a separation of skin, and a symbol that is a usually hidden, but is very obvious when revealed. It is a symbol carried upon a man, that he can never just set aside.
In Jesus’ day (and even today), non-Jews viewed circumcision as barbaric, disgraceful, unnecessary, or any mix of these and more.
Circumcision, though (as Moses, Jeremiah, and even modern Rabbis with their take on Abraham’s circumcision of the heart note), is so much more than that.
Circumcision of the heart is a symbolic way of saying that one has separated the cares, concerns, and ways of the world from oneself. In other words, cutting off the world to be dedicated to God. It sounds severe. It is.
In truth, it is seems and feels more aspirational than fully achievable.
Holiness, Entire Sanctification, Christian Perfection, are three words/phrases that try to convey Circumcision of the Heart. They may actually be inadequate.
🤔 Reflection
The New Year is here. What do you need to separate from? What do you need to leave behind?
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