Eight Days
New Year sermon: Christ's circumcision on the eighth day foreshadows His death/resurrection. Treasure God's goodness, expect great things in 2026.
Scripture Text: Luke 2:21
"And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."
I. The Eighth Day - Circumcision and the Cycle of Time
The eighth day in Scripture is also the first day—representing the cycle of time we live in. We go through seasons round and round, but also upward like the sun rotating around the Milky Way. As we face a new year, the eighth day reminds us we're getting closer to going home to be with the Lord.
Circumcision in the Old Testament is a physical image representing spiritual reality—the removal of flesh, new birth, new creation. Christ's circumcision on the eighth day in His first week of life foreshadows what happens at the end: He puts away our sins and rises from the dead on the first day of the week (the eighth day). We live in the "already, not yet"—already new creatures in Christ, yet waiting for new creation to dawn across the universe.
II. The Great Name - Jesus, the Deliverer
Jesus (Yeshua) means saving, helping, delivering. He saves us from the corruption of the original creation and brings new life. As Matthew records: "You shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save His people from their sins." All the spoilings of this past year come from sin—our own or others'. Christ is the one who redeems even those things.
As the Son of David, Jesus is the true King, the spiritual leader who delivers us before God. The first week of His life (circumcision, naming) mirrors and foreshadows the last week (passion, death, resurrection). Mary treasured these things in her heart from that chaotic first week with a newborn—the Promised Deliverer whom angels sang over and shepherds worshiped.
Circumcision was gruesome—not pleasant. Yet Jesus submitted as a baby, symbolizing His death for us. We've been circumcised through the circumcision of Christ when He died for our sins.
Three Applications for the New Year
1. Imitate Mary - Treasure Up Memories of God's Goodness As we end this year, treasure up and remember God's goodness. He's been merciful, provided in unexpected ways, been a friend closer than a brother. Recount the amazing things God did, the difficulties He brought you through, the prayers He answered. Keep that fire going in your hearts as we roll through the cycle of time.
2. Expect Great Things in the New Year There was expectation when Christ was born: "What will this child be?" Carry that sense of expectation—God will bring gifts, people, relationships, and growth you didn't expect. He sends trials so we might obtain wisdom and the fullness of Christ. Even difficulties are blessings in disguise. Don't be dismal—be filled with hope that God will do great things because we're His beloved children.
3. Set All Hopes in the New Creation The eighth/first day symbolizes new creation. Jesus rose on the eighth day—His body already partakes of New Creation. We live in the "awkward period"—already new creatures with access to God's throne, yet still facing troubles. We're the awkward ones of earth with no home here, longing for when all will be right. Maybe 2026 is someone's year to enter God's presence. One day we'll have beauty without grievousness, fellowship without miscommunication. Maintain that elevated Christian mindset of hope in the absolute glories to come.
The Christ Connection
In the first week of Christ's life, we see a prophetic picture of His entire mission. On the eighth day, Jesus was circumcised—a gruesome, painful ritual that foreshadowed His gruesome, painful death for our sins. The removal of flesh in circumcision symbolizes the removal of our sin nature, the putting off of the old creation and the putting on of the new.
When Christ died and rose again on the first day of the week (the eighth day), He brought new creation into reality. We've been circumcised through the circumcision of Christ—His death has cut away our sins and given us new life. The name given to Him, Jesus (Yeshua—"He saves"), perfectly captures His mission: to save His people from their sins, to deliver us from the corruption of the fallen creation, and to bring us into the new creation.
We live in the "already, not yet" tension. Already we're new creatures in Christ, already the eighth day is dawning in our hearts. Yet we still inhabit the old creation, facing its troubles and limitations. Like adolescence, it's an awkward period—but it's the Christian reality until Jesus returns. From His ascension to the Father's right hand, Christ has been ruling and blessing His people. We treasure these truths, expect His continued work in our lives, and set all our hopes on the day when new creation dawns fully and we're home with the Lord forever.
Luke 2:21 New Year sermon: Christ's circumcision on the eighth day foreshadows His death/resurrection. Treasure God's goodness, expect great things in 2026.