Benefit of Circumcision

Read Leviticus 3

(There is a helpful chart, by the way, in the Lutheran Study Bible on p. 171 regarding all the different offerings, what was sacrificed and how and what the purpose was. This helps us to keep it all straight as we read about the various instructions. We remember most of all that the sacrifices pointed forward to our Savior Jesus, whose blood would be shed for our redemption).

Read Romans 3

Paul is very careful here to lump all people together in some ways. Jews and Gentiles alike are sinful. No one is righteous by nature, Paul argues. All people, then, Jew and Gentile alike, are saved by the grace of God apart from the works of the law.

We Lutherans understand this well. We know that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We rejoice that we are justified freely by the grace of God.

So what, then, does it mean when Paul says there is an advantage to being a Jew and being circumcised? The value is not in salvation, but in understanding and appreciating the full plan of God's salvation. The Jews could understand the Old Testament in a way that new Gentiles would not (though hopefully they would learn - and, in fact, we do today). The Jews could understand that circumcision was a sign that was given to Abraham and the covenant people to remind them that from their people, the promised "offspring," or better said the promised "seed" of the woman would come and redeem them. Yes, promised to Adam and Eve, the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. So, God gave Israel a sign on their reproductive organs to remind them of the coming offspring.

So, there is not any salvation advantage to being circumcised in the time after Christ, but understanding it's purpose and the wonderful plan of God has advantage - much in every way!

Who can know the mind of God? How unsearchable are his judgments! His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts much higher than our thoughts. What a strange and wonderful sign. What a strange and wonderful salvation is accomplished through the cross. Though we were not righteous, God saved us by his grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Believing Jew and believing Gentile alike, we are his through Jesus Christ. Our sins - forgiven. Amen!

Pray:

Loving Father, thank You for Your grace and faithfulness. Thank you for Your salvation. Empower me by Your Spirit to be faithful to You. Empower me to share Your gift with others. Amen.

Study with me Monday,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!