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John 7:22-23 – The Implication Of The Covenant
A badge of honor among the Jews was circumcision. To their dishonor, they lost sight of the implication of circumcision. They clung to the meaning – a singular special covenant relationship with God unknown among the nations. Unfortunately they had forgotten the implication – they were desperate without God.
John 7:22-23 – (22) “For this reason Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man. (23) “If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?
Their racial and religious arrogance had made them blind to the real meaning of what and who they were, what God had accomplished for them, and who God (in the flesh) was. Being a needy nation they should have rejoiced when someone in need received divine help.
When comparing circumcision and baptism, there are both biblical similarities and contrasts. However one comparison is that both are a sign of a covenant between God and desperate people.
Yet having undergone the Jewish ritual necessarily implies their need for a covenant. How could such hopeless people have become spiritually arrogant? Unfortunately, they forgot that they were needy. How do Christians become “holier than thou?” In our spiritual amnesia we forget we are needy.
Being a Christian does not make us better than others. It simply should make us aware of our need to be forgiven. Baptism is not a badge of honor. It is a cry for help. It is admitting we are shamefully in need.
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