Immanuel means “God with us.”
Of all the names for Christ, this is probably one of my all-time favorites! This is another name we hear mostly at Christmas, and rightfully so, because that is when we celebrate the birth of Christ, the time when God literally came to live among mankind. Jesus came humbly to earth, taking on human likeness & DNA, in the form of a newborn baby. That little newborn babe, so helpless, and so vulnerable; and yet not for a moment, not still completely Deity. The God-Man. How awesome is that thought! God left all of the splendor and holiness of Heaven, His throne, His perfect realm, to be with us.
With us! His creation. His fallen creation. Why? To show us the Way to God. To redeem us. To save us from ourselves. To rescue us from the consequences of our own sin. To satisfy the Father’s wrath against sin. To make us His brothers & sisters, and children of The Father. To LOVE us. To enable us to Love.
God with us. He came to die a cruel, blood-draining, death. He rose from death to have the victory over sin, and death, and satan. He lives to have fellowship with me, and all who put their trust in Him for their salvation. GOD with us! “Behold what manner of Love the Father hath given unto us! Herein is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 3:1a and 4:10)
Immanuel, the name for the Incarnate God-Man, is so amazingly relevant not just at Christmas, but all through the year, and all through our lifetime! God with me. My personal Savior. My redeemer. My friend and confidante and brother. My life! My reason for living. I am so thrilled that God came to me and redeemed my life. I am still utterly awestruck by it. I may have been only a child, 12 years of age, but I know how much He redeemed my life. Redeemed the path I would have followed. Changed the path I was already on, headed toward destruction. I am eternally thankful that Immanuel showed me the way to Abundant Life in Him. He is still “God with me” now, and every step of the way. “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Heb. 13:5b) I may turn away from Him, but He will never turn away from me. For 44+ years now, I am living proof that He has been my constant friend & loving companion. Is He yours? God with you?
Immanuel – God with you? – He came to be with you too. He will be, if you simply ask & let Him in.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If anyone Hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will fellowship with him, and he with Me.” -Rev. 3:20
Is Immanuel knocking at the door of your heart?
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