JESUS, OUR IMMANUEL
REV. I.D SAMUEL
Isaiah 7:14 (written around 700 BC)
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Immanuel (Hebrew: עִמָּנוּאֵל meaning, "God with us"; also romanized Emmanuel, Imanu'el; also አማኑኤል ('Amanuel') in Geez and Amharic) is a Hebrew name which appears in the Book of Isaiah (7:14) as a sign that God will protect the House of David.[1]
The Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:22–23) interprets this as a prophecy of the birth of the Messiah and the fulfillment of Scripture in the person of Jesus.[2] Immanuel "God (El) with us" is one of the "symbolic names" used by Isaiah, alongside Shearjashub, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, or Pele-joez-el-gibbor-abi-ad-sar-shalom. It has no particular meaning in Jewish messianism.[3] By contrast, the name based on its use in Isaiah 7:14 has come to be read as a prophecy of the Christ in Christian theology following Matthew 1:23, where Immanuel (Ἐμμανουὴλ) is glossed as μεθ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός (KJV: "God with us").
This hymn by Charles Wesley goes on to describe who Jesus Christ is.
“Christ by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.”
Jesus our Emmanuel
This is the wonder of the Incarnation. Jesus (the second person of the Trinity) became the “offspring of the Virgin’s womb.” God became man and was “veiled in flesh” even though He was the “incarnate Deity.” Jesus was our Emmanuel. The name Emmanuel means “God with us.” So even though Jesus became man, he did not lose His deity. Hallelujah!!
Jesus Our Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
One of the most blessed truths concerning Christ’s birth is expressed in the lines of Hark, the
Herald Angels Sing:
“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man
with men to appear, Jesus our Emmanuel here.”
1. What Emmanuel means.
The meaning of the word Isaiah used in this text was understood by Jews but not by Gentiles,
so in Matthew 1:23 we are given the interpretation: “They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
a. God with us — He was Deity manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).
b. God with us — He lived among men revealing God the Father to them (John 14:9).
c. God with us — He is still with us today (Matthew 28:20). Weymouth’s rendering of this
verse is: “I am with you always, day by day, even to the close of the age.”
2. What Emmanuel does for us.
a. He saves us. He became partaker of our flesh and blood that 100% might die for us (Hebrews 2:14,15). That is why He was named Jesus (Matthew 1:21).
b. He sustains us. Because He passed through the same experiences we have in this life, He is able to help and comfort us when we need it (Hebrews 2:17,18).
c. He strengthens us. The Greek word with used here (God with us) has the strongest possible force. It does not mean “in company with.” It means “together with,” “sharing with.” It implies close fellowship. God is united with us. His power is our power. His ability is our ability. Paul could say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13) for the Lord was with him.
3. What Emmanuel expects of us.
a. We must keep our eyes upon Him. “Looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2); looking at the eternal, not the temporal (2 Corinthians 4:18).
b. We must practice His presence. We may set the Lord always before us (Psalm 16:8). We may keep our minds fixed, upon Emmanuel (Isaiah 26:3).
c, We must walk His way. It does not say, “God walked with Enoch,” but “Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:22). Only those who follow the path of obedience to His revealed will can have the blessing of “God with us.”
Conclusion
Joseph and Mary “supposed” Christ was with them on the return journey from Jerusalem, but “found him not” (Luke 2:44,45). Let us never grow careless about the things of Christ but be sure at all times that we have “God with us” — Jesus our Emmanuel
Hallelujah!!
This shall be your best Christmas in Jesus name. Amen.
I am your partner.
The Primate of God's City Churches Worldwide.
Rev.I.D Samuel