For God so loved the world...
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Passover Tidbits #8: Passover and Circumcision
Passover is a great time to remember (za-car' - to act on what you know is true) all Y'shua (from y'sha - salvation) has done for us, is doing for us, and will do for us. Passover provides yet another physical example of our need for the blood of the spotless lamb to cover us, how Jesus was raised on the Feast of First Fruits, as our first fruits, and how only through these two acts of God will He lead His people out of the darkness of Egypt (the world's wisdom) to the promised land of YHWH.
One of the most compelling and beautiful things about the TaNaKh are these many pictures of God's loving Hand on each of those willing to come under the protection and promise of YHWH. The imagery is unmistakable and constant, and the Second Testament writers illuminate all of these pictures in their writings as they lived for Him in a fallen world, examples for each of us, everyday.
Somehow though, we can manage to lose much of the beauty and truth of all YHWH does and says by looking at these pictures though man's eyes. By that, I mean we often fail to look past the words to the ideas and images, to the heart of the matter, you might say. We cross-reference God's D'var (words) with the world's wisdom and come to a place of missed blessing.
Most of the Christian church today gives little importance to the Feasts any more. The church has changed the days, the times, and the reasons for the Feasts. Most Christians can confuse Santa and Christmas with Jesus, and Easter bunnies and a great brunch, with the Cross. When the feasts are mentioned, it is in usually in passing, more like a footnote, than the gift from our Father that they are. The feasts are the three times each year YHWH Himself ordained a meeting with His people and offered tickets to the hottest show ever, but we often let it pass by. We have different traditions now. We have watered down the Feasts, and the meanings and pictures of them, to the point where God must be shaking His head.
Many Jews still hold tightly to the feasts, but for most they tend to go through all the motions, make all the appointments, and often miss the heart and promise of the actual events celebrated at the Feasts. Some Messianic and Hebrew roots group’s follow every detail right down to the point of proving the celebrant is physically circumcised before they can participate, removing much of the joy and freedom the believer experiences at the Feasts.
It is a good thing God loves us, because few of us seem to be able to put our arms around the Feasts and the promises they hold. The Scriptures command any believer or follower of YHWH to remember the feasts; to celebrate the feasts. Scripture commands that we as believers hold these celebrations on a particular day, and in a particular place, with particular people. Each of the Feasts brings with it a series of instructions to help the celebrant fully enjoy the time, clarify the picture, and to draw closer to both their brothers and sisters in the Lord, and most importantly, to the Creator Himself.
I might suggest, remind us really, as the Scriptures already tell us this, that the Feasts are a gift; a blessing. They are to bring joy and to bring us close to God. How they came to be forgotten entirely, or have become some legalistic way to prove one group is "holier" than another, is something of a sad mystery to me.
Most of us know the word, poorly translated, as "law" in English is the Hebrew word to-rah' and it really means, "the direction we take in life." It is from the Hebrew word yaw-raw' or to hit the mark. If the direction we are talking in life leads us to the feasts, and to a deeper understanding of God instructions, we do well. You may not be as familiar with the Hebrew word translated, as "circumcision" which is "moo-law". The literal meaning is the "conglomeration of words that form a sentence or idea". But it is also used to describe the kernels of corn on the ear. You get it, many kernels make up one ear.
I like the idea of the ear of corn. Many of the kernels are more or less similar; but all varying is size, color, and shape. At both ends are smaller, larger, misshapen, incorrectly colored and damaged kernels. Some corncobs have many, many, different colors of kernels; others have a great variety of size. But all ears of corn have one thing in common; if they are missing most of the kernels, it is generally tossed away. In the same way I think, when the body at large misses out on the blessing of the feasts. It is something like an ear of corn with out many of the kernels. It is the picture of not being circumcised, not following after the Lord. There are too few kernels to cause anyone to take it seriously, it is not strong, it is not pretty, it is not very nutritious, or filling.
Do you need to be circumcised to celebrate the Feast? Sure you do. The Scriptures are clear Passover is only for the circumcised, but we already knew that from reading Exodus chapter 12, only those covered with the blood (or circumcised of the heart) will be saved. Being covered by the blood, or being circumcised of the heart, as the word To-rah' indicates, is proof we are on the path that leads to YHWH and salvation. Our direction is good, yaw-raw' as they would say. In fact, if you are not on that path yet, Scriptures indicates you would be better off not celebrating the Feasts.
Passover and circumcision are both symbols. No one is saved or lost because they did, or did not, celebrate the feasts. No one is saved or lost because they are, or are not, circumcised. God looks at the heart, more than the actions. That being said though, a heart for God will want to be circumcised and will want to follow His instructions. Anytime we follow and trust God, He will send blessings. Following the Lord might include physical circumcision, it might include participating in the feasts, or being water baptized, or by serving our fellow travelers, or living as salt and light, or ten thousand other things. Do it often enough and it will become a habit, and every once and a while I'll bet you will actually see the face of God smiling on you.
This Passover, I plan once again on just enjoying the time with YHWH and His people, remembering the things He did, and the promises He made, without all the man made issues, legalism, or problems. I believe that by so doing, I and those with me, will honor YHWH by obeying His requests, enjoying His companionship, and learning more about Him. He will bless us in accordance with His practice and promise. I hope you too can enjoy celebrating God's Passover this year.
CB