The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 24 June 2019 – Birth and Circumcision of John The Baptist

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TOPIC: Birth and Circumcision of John The Baptist

READ: Luke 1:57- 66 King James Version (KJV)

57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.

58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.

60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”

62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.

65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

THE MESSAGE:

When it was time for Elizabeth to deliver, she gave birth to a son. On the eighth day when he was to be circumcised and given a name, the neighbours called him Zacharias; the name of his father. His mother objected and named him John (collaborated by the father), being a name already instructed by the angel to call him (verse 13). According to the Concise Bible Dictionary, John means the Grace of Jehovah indicating that he (John) was to introduce the grace and truth that was to come through Jesus Christ (Luke 1:17). John’s conception and birth witnessed two miracles (verses 20, 24). No wonder people marveled at what manner of child he was to be.

In the Old Testament, circumcision was appointed by God to be a token of the covenant that He made with Abraham and his seed (as people separated unto Him) and also the seal of the righteousness of Abraham’s faith. Contrary to the plan of God, circumcision became a mere formal act and the covenant itself disregarded by Israelites. God spoke of them as having uncircumcised hearts (Leviticus 26:41). The New Testament is not against circumcision of the flesh. It advocates the circumcision of the heart, which is typified by putting off the body (sins) of the flesh (Colossians 2:11) by the circumcision of Christ, for one to be truly separated unto God (Philippians 3:3).

PRAYER POINT: Pray for a heart and life devoid of sin that you may be truly and thoroughly separated unto Christ Jesus.