The
Lord Jesus is Circumcised to Fulfill the Law
and Shed His Blood for Us
and Shed His Blood for Us
Circumcision, the covenant God made
with Abraham and his Seed, sealed His promises and blessings in the flesh, but
it also signified the burden of the Law. When the Lord Jesus came in the flesh
to redeem His people, He subjected Himself to that Law in order to fulfill the
Law and release all people from its bondage. “He was called Jesus” (Luke 2:21 ), because He came to
save His people from their sins. Jesus first shed His blood on our behalf when
“He was circumcised” (Luke
2:21 ), thus foreshadowing His shedding of blood as He sacrificed
Himself upon the Cross. We are “justified by faith” in His blood (Gal. 3:24 ). Therefore, we “are
Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:29 ), not by the
circumcision of our flesh, but in the flesh and blood of Christ Jesus, the true
Seed of Abraham. “Baptized into Christ,” we belong to Him and are
clothed and covered by His righteousness (Gal. 3:27 ). Holy Baptism is the true circumcision made
without hands, by which the Lord Jesus puts His Name on us and blesses us (Num. 6:22 , 27 ).
Time in the Word
26–31 December 2016
Preparation for next week, the Circumcision and Name of Jesus
26–31 December 2016
Preparation for next week, the Circumcision and Name of Jesus
Monday, 26 December 2016—Psalm
40:6–8 ; antiphon, Psalm 40:16 —Jesus has come
in the flesh and fulfilled the entire Law for us, beginning with His fulfilling
of the Law of Circumcision. Neither are animal sacrifices necessary any longer,
for these were only meant to point to the One who became the supreme,
once-for-all Sacrifice for the sins of the world; hence, David writes: In
sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open
ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. What is
required for salvation is faith, received by the ear which God opens and into
which He speaks His saving Gospel message.
Tuesday, 27 December 2016—Psalm 8 —Psalm 8 is a song of great praise
to God for all the mighty works He has done in creating the universe, the
earth, and all that is in them. But the greatest work of all, is that He sent
His Son into the world to assume flesh, the uncreated One becoming part of the
creation, that He might redeem creation from the curse under which it fell when
Adam and Eve first sinned. The Son of God, Creator of all things, it is He who
has been made a little lower than the heavenly beings; yet, because of
His work of salvation, He has been crowned with glory and honor.
Wednesday, 28 December 2016—Numbers
6:22–27 —The Old Testament reading for next week is the
well-known Aaronic benediction. The word benediction comes from the
Latin word that means to bless. It is called the Aaronic
benediction, because it was first given, here in Numbers, to the High Priest
Aaron, brother of Moses, to bless the Children of Israel. Note that it is pure
blessing; it makes no demands of the people, but simply is a declaration of
God’s benefit to them. They had been given His Name, and thus received a
blessing.
Thursday, 29 December 2016—Galatians
3:23–29 —As God declared in the Old Testament reading, He had
put His Name on the people and they received His blessing. Likewise, He has put
His Name on us, too, and, consequently, we also receive His blessings. In Holy
Baptism, we were given the gift of faith and the forgiveness of sins. Baptized
into the name of Christ, we are heirs and recipients of all of God’s blessings:
forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Friday, 30 December 2016—Luke 2:21 —Next
Sunday’s Gospel reading is very short—only one verse! It tells of the
circumcision and naming of Jesus on the eighth day of His life. Fulfilling the
Law of Moses with regard to circumcision, He first shed His blood for us.
Receiving the name which had been told to Mary by the angel Gabriel, it
reflects who He is and what He came to do; for the name JESUS means the Lord
(Yahweh) saves. Jesus is true God, come down from heaven for one purpose:
the salvation of as many as will believe in Him.
Collect for the Commemoration of St Stephen (26 December): Heavenly Father, in the midst of our sufferings for the sake
of Christ, grant us grace to follow the example of the first martyr, Stephen,
that we also may look to the One who suffered and was crucified on our behalf,
and pray for those who do us wrong; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .
Collect for the Commemoration of St John (27 December): Merciful Lord, cast the bright beams
of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed in the doctrine of
Your blessed apostle and evangelist John, may come to the light of everlasting
life; for You live and reign . . .
Collect for the Commemoration of the Holy Innocents of
Bethlehem (28 December): Almighty God, the martyred innocents of Bethlehem showed
forth Your praise not by speaking but by dying. Put to death in us all that is
in conflict with Your will that our lives may bear witness to the faith we
profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .
Collect for the Circumcision and Name of Jesus (1 January): Lord God, You made Your beloved Son, our Savior, subject to the Law and caused Him to shed His blood on our behalf. Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit that our hearts may be made pure from all sins; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for the New Year: Eternal God,
we commit to Your mercy and forgiveness the year now ending and commend to Your
blessing and love the times yet to come. In the new year, abide among us with
Your Holy Spirit that we may always trust in the saving name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who lives
and reigns . . .
Prayer for grace to receive the Word: Blessed Lord, You have caused all
Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them,
read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of
Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of
everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and
reigns . . .
Prayer before the study of God’s Word: Almighty God, our heavenly
Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our
search is in vain. Invigorate our study of Your holy Word that, by due
diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your
holy faith; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and
reigns . . .
Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on
Worship
Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things
Prayers
from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
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