John 7:22

“Think about it, you perform circumcision on your baby boys on Sabbath because you believe Moses instructs you to do so, although in fact this tradition was passed on to us by the patriarchs.” John 7:22 EFP 

Jesus turns their tradition back on his accusers by pointing out an inconsistency in their application of the rite of circumcision.  They could not stomach seeing a man healed by Jesus on the Sabbath, but were quite comfortable with performing a circumcision procedure on the Sabbath because Moses passed on this practice to them as a nation.  Circumcision can wait a day; healing a man seems more significant and urgent that circumcision, doesn’t it?

From where I stand it is quite clear, but I have to remember that circumcision is intimately associated with their national identity and their understanding of the concept of being the chosen people of God.  This is the sign of their “chosen-ness.”  Nothing is more important than their identity as a people of God.  The Sabbath is equally as important.  It was also a sign (Ezekiel 20:12).  But they are unable to appreciate one important point—Someone more important than either circumcision or the Sabbath is talking to them.  The Anointed One is the one who chose them.  He is the Lord of the Sabbath as well.  He trumps Moses.  He trumps Abraham.  He outshines any of the Jewish luminaries.  But they cannot see it—or simply refuse to recognize what is so clear to me today.  Denial crops up its ugly head again!

I have to ask what are those things I have allowed to become so precious to me that the trump compassion and mercy. Is it possible for me to consider a doctrine, significant as it might be, more important than the people God called me to love? Lord, help me!