GOD WITH US
Isaiah 7:14 NKJV - "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
OBSERVATION:
As we light the third candle, representing Jesus, the Light of the Word, we are reminded of another familiar prophecy from Isaiah, one that appears on Christmas cards every year. It offers a promise and a hope for all who would believe – God is with us!
OBSERVATION:
As we light the third candle, representing Jesus, the Light of the Word, we are reminded of another familiar prophecy from Isaiah, one that appears on Christmas cards every year. It offers a promise and a hope for all who would believe – God is with us!
Isaiah 7:14 is fulfilled in Luke 1:26-38, where the angel Gabriel visits Mary, a young virgin, and tells her she will bear a son and name Him Jesus or Immanuel (which means “God with us”).
“Many ask why they named Him 'Jesus' instead of 'Immanuel'… 'Jesus' described His mission, while 'Immanuel' describes who He is.”
“Jesus is a Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua… which is a contraction of the name of God… Yahweh… and Shua… salvation.
Shortened to Joshua… it is ‘God’s Salvation.’ … His name describes His nature and reason for coming.” – Chuck Smith.
“Jesus is a Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua… which is a contraction of the name of God… Yahweh… and Shua… salvation.
Shortened to Joshua… it is ‘God’s Salvation.’ … His name describes His nature and reason for coming.” – Chuck Smith.
His mission was to save us, and it began with His presence among us!
Matthew 1:21 NKJV - "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21 NKJV - "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
This description of the work of Jesus reminds us that Jesus meets us in our sin, but His purpose is to save us from our sins.
He saves us first from the penalty of sin, then from the power of sin, and finally from the presence of sin. – David Guzik.
He saves us first from the penalty of sin, then from the power of sin, and finally from the presence of sin. – David Guzik.
If Immanuel had not come, there would be no cradle; without it, no cross; and without the cross, no hope. But because Jesus is God with us, we are saved from our sins.
His Name will be Immanuel!
As we read the account in Luke chapter 1, we see that the birth of Jesus was surrounded by controversy. This is why Gabriel would say, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30). This favor is the same word for grace. Grace is what Jesus, Immanuel, would give to all who would receive it. Jesus could not be born of the seed of man, for man was and is corrupt, full of sin, and Immanuel – God with us – needed to be spotless.
1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV - knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
This baby Jesus would fulfill all that God required to redeem mankind, and because of this, His throne and Kingdom would endure forever.
Luke 1:31-33 NKJV - "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV - knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
This baby Jesus would fulfill all that God required to redeem mankind, and because of this, His throne and Kingdom would endure forever.
Luke 1:31-33 NKJV - "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
APPLICATON:
As we consider Mary and all that she endured, and the “impossibility” of it all. We are reminded, just like Mary, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). What was impossible for man was possible with God – from the virgin birth to the remission of sin – without God, it is impossible.
Often, like Mary, we have the same questions and responses to the things in our own lives. We can get caught up in the how and why instead of living in the moment and realizing that God is truly with us, and that with Him, nothing is impossible.
As we consider Mary and all that she endured, and the “impossibility” of it all. We are reminded, just like Mary, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). What was impossible for man was possible with God – from the virgin birth to the remission of sin – without God, it is impossible.
Often, like Mary, we have the same questions and responses to the things in our own lives. We can get caught up in the how and why instead of living in the moment and realizing that God is truly with us, and that with Him, nothing is impossible.
“‘For nothing’ (literally, ‘no word’) ‘will be impossible for God,’ recall the divine promise of a son addressed to Sarah (Genesis 18:14)
and, in so doing, provide another confirming example of God’s ability to carry out His promise to Mary.” – Marvin C. Pate.
and, in so doing, provide another confirming example of God’s ability to carry out His promise to Mary.” – Marvin C. Pate.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I am reminded that You are a very present help in times of need, whether because of our sin or our “impossibilities.” You are always, and will continue to be, “God with us!”
Jesus, I am reminded that You are a very present help in times of need, whether because of our sin or our “impossibilities.” You are always, and will continue to be, “God with us!”
God is with us! God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)