Circumcision, the Sign of the Covenant

This meditation is based on a passage for February 23, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Genesis 17:12-24

Reflection and Question: Assuring Abraham that he will have a son with his wife, God charges him to seal his bond with God by circumcision of all males in his household from this moment onward. Abraham complies, beginning the tradition of circumcision in the Jewish faith. The early church struggled mightily over whether Gentile converts to faith in Jesus needed to be circumcised because, for Jews, any male not circumcised was considered an abomination. Eventually baptism replaced circumcision in Christian tradition as the path to become one of God’s beloved people. How do you determine who is one of God’s people?

Prayer:Jesus, our Brother and Savior, You were circumcised as a good son of Abraham on the eighth day and so entered into this ancient covenant with God, Your Father. Show us how we are bound to God in love. Amen.