In Matthew Chapter 1, verses 22 to 23 we read “So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Immanuel – God with us. Many people read that with the understanding that God was “with us” at Christ’s birth, God becoming a man, Jesus Christ. And that is correct, God became a man, Jesus Christ and was here on earth “with us” for 33 years. The birth of Christ was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah some 700 years before Christ’s birth In Isaiah 7:14. What was His reason for coming? Why did God leave heaven and come to us, to live among us?
He came to die because mankind was lost in sin, wrongdoing against God. The Bible teaches that every one of us is a sinner, all have sinned and we all have fallen short of God’s standards. The 10 commandments give us a pretty good understanding of what God expects. Ever told a lie? That is sin. Furthermore, the Bible teaches this sin separates us from God, so we have no relationship with Him. The very penalty of sin is death, not just physical (eventually), but deadness, a separation from Him while we are alive.
And this is why He came – to die in our place that the penalty of sin might be paid. Christ took our sins at the Cross and gave us His righteousness (goodness, acceptance). What love, what mercy, what grace an almighty, all powerful God has shown to us! Imagine leaving His heaven to become a Man so that He can die in our place an offer us the gift of eternal life. Forever reconciling lost man to eternal God. Have you received His gift of eternal life by asking His forgiveness, professing your belief that He died for your sins and gratefully receiving Him as your Lord and Savior?
To those who receive Christ as Lord and Savior, God in the flesh, then the phrase “God with us” is much more than just about God coming to us in a stable 2,000 years ago. It is for today. It is for the now. God is with us today. While He was on earth Jesus said “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
To those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior He is with us now. Right now, the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we have “God with us” every day, every minute, every second. Think about that believer in Christ – God is with you right now.
Can’t pay the rent, struggling with bills – God our provider is with you; Your physical, mental or emotional health is breaking down – God our healer is with you; Need guidance and protection – God our Shepherd is with you Feeling lonely and abandoned – God our ever present is with you, never to forsake you! Feeling sad, depressed, and worried – God our Comforter is with you! Tired fighting battles on every front – God our Commander of heavenly armies is with you! Troubled, bothered and confused – God, our Prince of Peace, is with you! Overwhelmed and facing the impossible – God our all-powerful and all sufficient is with you! Accused by others and feeling ashamed – God our Righteousness is with you!
This is why Isaiah referred to Christ as Immanuel – God with us. He was present WITH us physically 2,000 years ago, but now He is present IN us, even closer with us. Jesus said He will never leave us nor forsake us, so “God with us” never ends. The Bible says in Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
God is with us, and will forevermore be with us, living inside of us, ever so aware of the feeling of our infirmities. It was always God’s intention to dwell with Man. So great is his love for us that He wants to be with us, though we keep running from Him. In the beginning, He came walking in the Garden of Eden to be with Adam and Eve. After sin and fall, thousands of years later He dwelled in a tent, the Tabernacle of Moses so He could be among the people. And now, because of the work of Christ at the Cross, He dwells in us.
And one day, when our time comes or that final trumpet sounds, every believer in Christ will be moved into His presence, to be with Him forever more. As we celebrate this Christmas season, pause to remember the significance of the baby in a stable- Immanuel – God with us! Christ with us, right now!
Have a Blessed Christmas!
Pastor Peter Outar New Beginnings Church of Astoria
