Notes of Faith December 18, 2024

God With Us

“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

The name Immanuel (“God with us”) occurs in Isaiah (7:14; 8:8) and in Matthew 1:23. In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet declared that a virgin would give birth to a son as a sign. The child’s name would be Immanuel. The child was to be a sign that God would be with King Ahaz of Judah in defense of the invading Assyrians.

God had promised to be with Israelites in the Old Testament on numerous occasions. For example, He was with Joshua as Israel entered the Promised Land: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). But when it came time for Jesus to enter the world, “God with us” took on a new reality. Matthew showed how the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 had a more far-reaching meaning. The Son born to the virgin, Mary, would be God incarnate—God in the flesh, God in human form (Philippians 2:6-8).

The implications of the Incarnation are life changing. By the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is with you at this moment—and for all your days.

By the light of the gospel we see [God] as Emmanuel, God with us.

Matthew Henry

John 1:14

14 And the Word [Jesus] became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God has always been with His creation but some have separated themselves more than others from Him and His glory. Jesus, the incarnate God/Man, gives us the greatest joy of God being with us. Though in heaven now, Jesus is indeed with us, His Spirit resides in those who believe in Him, and one day He will physically return to claim His bride, the church, and establish His earthly Kingdom for a thousand years. Praise God for His love, patience, forgiveness, redemption, and power over sin and death to those who call on Jesus as their Savior!

Pastor Dale