Luk 2:21 | KingComments | STEP | The Lord Jesus is a Man from Israel, a Jew. Therefore the laws are of application to Him. He Who is born of a woman is born under the law ( ). He subdues Himself to laws He Himself has given. This means that He is circumcised ( ; ; ). Because He has been circumcised, He is obliged to keep the whole law ( ). He has done so. When He is circumcised, He also receives the name “Jesus”, which means “ Yahweh is salvation”. That’s how the angel said it and that’s how it happens. His circumcision has a much richer meaning than just showing His submission to the law. His circumcision also has a spiritual meaning. It looks forward to what will happen to Him on the cross of Calvary and what has actually happened. The circumcision on the cross refers to death under the judgment of God ( ) by which He truly effected salvation. Thus there can be a new beginning for any man who accepts in faith that Christ has also bore the judgment of God on his sins for him. The eighth day speaks of that new beginning. It speaks of the new creation of all those who participate in the circumcision of Christ. His circumcision is the foundation that there will be more people of pleasure. God wants sons with whom He is pleased.

‏ Luke 2:21

Circumcision of the Lord Jesus

The Lord Jesus is a Man from Israel, a Jew. Therefore the laws are of application to Him. He Who is born of a woman is born under the law (Gal 4:4). He subdues Himself to laws He Himself has given. This means that He is circumcised (Lk 1:59; Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3). Because He has been circumcised, He is obliged to keep the whole law (Gal 5:3). He has done so. When He is circumcised, He also receives the name “Jesus”, which means “Yahweh is salvation”. That’s how the angel said it and that’s how it happens.

His circumcision has a much richer meaning than just showing His submission to the law. His circumcision also has a spiritual meaning. It looks forward to what will happen to Him on the cross of Calvary and what has actually happened. The circumcision on the cross refers to death under the judgment of God (Col 2:11) by which He truly effected salvation. Thus there can be a new beginning for any man who accepts in faith that Christ has also bore the judgment of God on his sins for him.

The eighth day speaks of that new beginning. It speaks of the new creation of all those who participate in the circumcision of Christ. His circumcision is the foundation that there will be more people of pleasure. God wants sons with whom He is pleased.