Jesus Circumcised and Named

His circumcision.
1. Circumcision in general.
  1. It is the cutting away of a piece of flesh by the shedding of blood (a death).
  2. God instituted it as a sign of the covenant relationship He established with Abraham and his seed (Gen. 17:10-14).
2. Physical circumcision, made with hands, is a picture of the spiritual reality, namely, circumcision made without hand.
3. God called His people to circumcise their hearts (Col. 2:11; Lev. 26:40,41; Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4; Rom. 2:29; Phil. 3:3).
4. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day.
  1. Jesus is the only one circumcised who had no sin requiring the shedding of blood, nor did He need a new heart.
  2. Only eight days old, our Savior was already suffering in obedience to the demands of the covenant.
He was given a personal name.
1. It was the custom that the child’s name was declared at the time of his circumcision (cf. Luke 1:59): “Jesus,” i.e., Savior.
2. The name, Jesus, was given by a great angel, Gabriel, “before He was conceived.”
  1. An angel of the Lord told Joseph that Mary’s child was to be named “Jesus,” but that was after conception (Matt. 1:20-23)
  2. But Gabriel told Mary His name before He was conceived (Luke 1:31).
Conclusions
1. Jesus’ naming was a heaven-sent revelation and clearly indicated His unique Person and His unique work.
2. The suffering of His circumcision was a part of our Savior’s suffering.
3. Faith sees that we are saved by the timing and the source of His naming.