March 25, 2022 -- Colossians 2:8-12 -- Understanding the significance of circumcision

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:8-12 ESV

Sicks days have this advantage: I can listen to many Christian podcasts. About a year ago a friend of mine was commenting how much he likes Tim Keller. To be honest, I had not read or listened to much of his work. So, having a few days on my hands, I took the opportunity to listen. His explanation of circumcision was so helpful.

Keller noted in the Old Testament a covenant (that is a binding promise between a powerful king and his conquered people) would be bloody. For example, a calf cut in half, and the conquered leader would walk between the severed parts and declare something to the effect: "let me be cut in two like this animal, rather than break my covenant with you, Lord." 

Circumcision is bloody. When a foreigner joined the people of Israel, he was subjected to circumcision. The foreskin of his penis was cut off. Why? That intimate cut declared, let me be cut off, and my descendants, be cut off of life, if I should disobey You, O Sovereign LORD of Heaven and Earth. Infants were circumcised, parents held up their sons in covenant commitment, declaring they would do all in their power to teach their little ones to know and serve the Living God. They would rather their child die than that he go after false gods.

Christians do not practice circumcision. Why not? Because Jesus was cut off. At the cross, He was cut off from the favour of God. God cursed His Own Son, punishing Him for our sins. In Jesus Christ we are the people whose sins are fully punished and therefore we walk in humble, awestruck love for Him. Jesus is our circumcision.

We obey Him, not because it earns us anything, we believe in Him and by faith are therefore set free from the curse. We can't earn it, it is a gift. We obey Him, because it is in Him we are already freed from punishment, hell and death. More even than this. We don’t obey Him just to save our skin—we follow Him because He loves us. His love fills our souls and captures our imagination. No longer do we chase after things which cannot fill our soul or satisfy our longings. The fact is Jesus is the Desire of All Nations. In Him our longing hearts are satisfied. In Him we are given glorious, God-directed lives which are powered for love and obedience by the Spirit Who lives in us.

This is also why Christianity is like no other religion on earth. All religions absolutely are not basically the same. That is blasphemous talk. Anything which belittles or glosses over the mighty, glorious, cosmos-purifying work of Jesus is to be quickly, heartily and thoroughly condemned. It is at the Name of Jesus every knee will bow. He was cut off so that we would not be cut off from God. Hallelujah!

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,
 I ask not to be enrolled amongst the earthly great and rich,
   but to be numbered with the spiritually blessed.
Make it my present, supreme, persevering concern
   to obtain those blessings which are
   spiritual in their nature,
   eternal in their continuance,
   satisfying in their possession.
Preserve me from a false estimate of the whole
   or a part of my character;
May I pay regard to
   my principles as well as my conduct,
   my motives as well as my actions.
Help me
   never to mistake the excitement of my passions
     for the renewing of the Holy Spirit,
   never to judge my religion by occasional
     impressions and impulses, but by my
       constant and prevailing disposition.
May my heart be right with thee,
   and my life as becometh the gospel.
May I maintain a supreme regard to another
   and better world,
and feel and confess myself a stranger
and a pilgrim here.
Afford me all the direction, defence, support,
   and consolation my journey hence requires,
   and grant me a mind stayed upon thee.
Give me large abundance of the supply of
     the Spirit of Jesus,
   that I may be prepared for every duty,
   love thee in all my mercies,
   submit to thee in every trial,
   trust thee when walking in darkness,
   have peace in thee amidst life’s changes.
Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief
 and uncertainties.
"True Religion". The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, rpr 2020, page 118.

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