SUNDAY November 27, 2022
Immanuel, God With Us
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14
Even before Jesus was born, Isaiah the prophet gave a prophecy of His virgin, birth. The name Immanuel means “God with us.” This is the prophetical name of the Messiah, the Christ––the One to be born of a virgin, Mary. It is Jesus who would be God with us. Matthew Henry brings these thoughts of Him being with us to light:
The Messiah shall be introduced on a glorious errand, wrapped up in his glorious name: They shall call his name Immanuel––God with us, God in our nature, God at peace with us, in covenant with us. This was fulfilled in their calling him Jesus––a Savior (Matthew 1:21-25), for if he has not been Immanuel––God with us, he could not have been Jesus––a Savior.
Have you ever felt alone at Christmas? So many people feel alone and abandoned at this time of year. The holiday season can be very difficult, especially for those who have lost loved ones. Yet be reminded of this comforting message wrapped up in the name Immanuel––God with us. Are you in need of God’s comfort this Christmas season?
Look to the Christ-Child born of a virgin and laid in a manger. He left heaven to be with you––you are not alone in this world. The angels in heaven brought tidings of comfort and joy to the shepherds in the fields. Consider the reason: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). What comfort and joy is there to be found in Christ?
As Savior, as deity, as Christ the Lord––be assured of His love. He came to die so you can have eternal life. He defeated death itself. His joy can be yours, not only in this life, but in the life to come. He is your Savior, and He has promised––“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. May the reality of Immanuel, God with us, be yours today.
O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high;
And cheer us by Thy drawing night;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
~John Mason Neale~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
