Immanuel. We see it on cards and find it on the front of church bulletins. We associate it with Christmas, acknowledge that it is a name for God. But have you ever paused to think about what it means? If so, have you explored how it affects (or can affect) your life? Several months ago, a friend of mine encouraged me to think about it and doing so has added so much meaning.
In Matthew chapter 1, we find that Immanuel means “God with us.” The holy, righteous God; the Creator of the universe, the world, and everything in them; the all-powerful One humbled Himself and came to live on earth, to be rejected by the ones He came to save, to die in shame to make a way for us, who sinned against Him, to be at peace with Him. How eloquent the angel’s announcement “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day . . . a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Then praise rang across the Judean countryside: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Immanuel: the bringer of peace and hope. This world is filled with broken, disappointed people yearning for hope, for a light in the darkness that surrounds and fills them. Immanuel is the answer. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus came to give abundant life to all who accept His gift of salvation from sin by faith in His blood. There is no need to live a life marked by emptiness, longing, and sorrow. Through His gift of Immanuel, God satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness (Psalm 107:9).
Immanuel: God with us. What a joy and comfort these words bring to our daily lives! God is with us no matter what we face. There is no struggle we must face alone without God. God’s word urges us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). In John 15, Jesus outlines what it means to abide in Him: It means we keep His commandments (which are 1. believing on the name of Jesus Christ, and 2. loving one another [1 John 3:23]). He says that this abiding in Him will result in His joy being in us and our joy being full (John 15:1-11).
Immanuel: God with us. The Counselor is with us. Any time we need wisdom we can simply ask and He gives it freely, without rebuking us or telling us that it’s a stupid question (James 1:5). More than that, our bodies are His temple. The realization that God is truly with us urges us to turn from the wrong and to embrace the plan He has; which is for us to be shaped into His image (Romans 8:29), to be holy like He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16), and to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits, which are His (2 Corinthians 6:20).
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Immanuel: the hope that brightly glows in this world filled with sorrow, pain, and yearning. Immanuel: the peacemaker between the holy, righteous God and all of sinful, rebellious mankind. Immanuel: the believer’s source of joy amid trials and turmoil. Immanuel: God with us. In the coming days, may you find time to think on the reality of Immanuel, and be blessed and challenged as I have been.
Hope in truth 