“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23 NKJV)
One of the most beautiful truths of Scripture stirs up much controversy. Whenever I write about Immanuel, or I state the true fact that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, I receive comments denying the deity of Jesus Christ. Why do people hate this doctrine with such passion?
Perhaps some people never learned that Jesus was God with skin on. Maybe they adore a baby in a manger, but they don’t want God ruling their lives. Perhaps today’s verse isn’t clear when it gives us the translation. Whatever reason people use to deny this truth, they have missed the joy and comfort of knowing Jesus as Immanuel, God with us.
Matthew quoted today’s focal verse from Isaiah. King Ahaz feared his enemies as they drew near, but the prophet Isaiah had a Word from God for him. God encouraged King Ahaz to seek a sign from Him. If God asked me to seek a sign from Him right now, I would find a question in my life that demands an answer. Not King Ahaz. Since the king refused to ask, God gave Him a sign in Isaiah 7:14:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
God offered comfort and victory to King Ahaz, and He offers it to us today in the name of Immanuel. We may not realize it, but we probably call on Immanuel every day. The name acts as a promise to us. The promise that God is with us, not just at Christmas, but throughout the entire year.
Whenever you feel lonely, know that Immanuel hasn’t left you. Maybe, you will spend Christmas alone, but you will feel Immanuel’s presence. When your heart breaks and tears fall, cling to the comfort from Immanuel. Are you making a decision? Call on Immanuel. Perhaps, you struggle with an illness, you have Immanuel by your side, the Great Physician.
We can learn this important name for Jesus Christ and be intentional in our prayers as we call on Immanuel, God with us.
Immanuel, when I say that name, I know I am never alone. I know You give me comfort, joy, and peace. You are here with me right now. Thank You for Your presence. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Zephaniah 3:17:
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
anuel God With UsHe will rejoice over you with singing.”
HIKING THE TRAIL
Understanding that Jesus is God in the flesh enables us to know God better. How has something in the gospels about Jesus helped you understand the God of the Old Testament?
RELATED RESOURCE
Celebrate each day of Advent with a quick devotion based on the names of Jesus. Each reading reflects on a name of the Savior from a biblical and historical perspective. Learn more here!
Originally posted on December 10, 2021 @ 3:00 am
All 3 persons of the trinity are in the OT we just have to know how there are referred to through descriptive words that point us to not just the Father in the OT but also th preincarnate Jesus is throughout the OT usually referred to as The Angle Of The Lord and we see reference to the Holy Spirits work as well. This idea of “God in the flesh” is hated because that claim makes the Jesus of Christianity THE only way to eternity. All of the other religions do acknowledge that Jesus did walk the earth, did preach “A” gospel but to every other religion out there Jesus was only a great teacher. So, for us to say He was God in the flesh means all other religions are wrong. The world hates that we point that out. If Jesus is only looked at as a great teacher, then that means nothing is required of them, no life change, not having to liv a life of there is only one way to eternity etc.
True. It is likely the most hated doctrine.