Luke 2:21
And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4059
Circumcise: to cut around, I cut around
From the Greek word 'peritemnó' (pronounced per-ee-tem'-no).
Figuratively speaking, this means "Cutting off the "old life," in favor of the new which is in Christ (the Seed). This starts with being born again into God's family (personally entering His covenant)."
THE CIRCUMCISED FLESH
Genesis 17:12
Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner--even those who are not your offspring.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4135
Circumcise: to cut off (the foreskin)
From the Hebrew word 'mul' (pronounced mool)
Being born of woman, Christ is born under the Law. The Law requires all males to be circumcised on the eighth day. This is both a mandatory requirement to fulfill The Law of Circumcision and a shadow of things to come under The Grace of Christ.
At the time of Abraham, when circumcision is first introduced, it is covenant between God and Abraham, Abraham's household, Abraham's seed.
THE CIRCUMCISED HEART
However, there is another circumcision which takes place in our hearts, a circumcision which can only be done by God. A clean, pure heart from God leads to an eternity spent in His presence.
Deuteronomy 30:6
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
Jeremiah 24:7
I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.
Ezekiel 36:26, 27
36. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
37. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.
THE NEW HEART
John 3:3, 5
3. Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
5. Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Psalm 24:3-5
3. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place?
4. He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
5. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from the God of his salvation.
NEW HEART, NEW NAME
With a new heart comes a new name. Though the male infants were given their new names on the day of circumcision, the born again believer receives their new name from God. While we do not yet know our new name, God has one prepared for us. In addition to that name, His Name will be written on us.
Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
Revelation 3:12
The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.
As the psalmist has written, millenia before us, let this be our prayer today, as well, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
HE IS CALLED JESUS by Todd Agnew (Do You See What I See? album)
CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART by Keith Green
REFINER'S FIRE by Jeremy Riddle
HE LIVES classic hymn
