Theme: Jesus is Emmanuel
Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Introduction
This Prince of Bethlehem is also called Immanuel (Matthew 1:18-24). He is the Miracle worker (Luke 1:26-38), Holy one (Luke 1:46-55), Embodiment of grace(John 1:1-14), Source of Salvation (Luke 1:67-80), Saviour of the World (Luke 2:8-20), He is the Mighty God (Isaiah 9:1-7), and the King( Matthew 2:1-12), and He is an absolute revelation of Godhead (Luke 2:21-35). Now, let me take you to the context of the name Immanuel, the content of the name Immanuel, and the contribution of Immanuel to us.
1. Context of Immanuel.
Background for the name Immanuel: Isaiah chapters 7–8 mentioned three children with symbolic names, such as Shear-jashub, which means "a remnant shall return"; Immanuel, "God is with us"; and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, "the spoil speeds, the prey hastens"(ref: Wikipedia). Though, Jews differed by having distinctive dietary laws, practising circumcision, and observing the Sabbath (a day of rest). Yet, they admitted the existence of neighbouring gods but adamantly worshipped Yahweh.
There was a Syro-Ephraimite War (735-734 BCE). Judah was suppressed by the northern neighbours, the kingdoms of Israel (called Ephraim in the prophecy) and Syria (also known as Aram or Aram-Damascus or Syria-Damascus). Isaiah 7:1–2 tells how the kings of Ephraim and Syria attacked Jerusalem when Ahaz refused to join them in their anti-Assyrian alliance. But, Isaiah told Ahaz of the apparent sign: “a young woman will give birth to a child whom she will name him Immanuel ("God with us"). He was assured that those two kings will be defeated and will become dust to dust and wasted. So, God told King Ahaz to "reject the wrong and choose the right" (Isaiah 7:13–16). It was a tumultuous, rebellious, and fearful time for king Ahaz and his people when Assyrian forces occupied the land.
The prophet Isaiah brought the news of Immanuel to King Ahaz but the Angel Gabriel brought the news of Immanuel to Joseph. He brought when the Jews were afraid of the Roman Laws and regulations. But the source of the information was God. He spoke through Prophet, Angel and today through WORD of God, Jesus is Immanuel. Days are rolling, times have changed but the presence of God continues as Emmanuel.
Situations, circumstances should not decide our stand. Our faith and trust in God must be beyond the circumstance and threats. The one who is with is greater, mightier than the one in the world. He is great and might. We sing songs that are scripted, tuned and sung by somebody. Unless it becomes our faith, we could never realise the blessings of God. By default, it comes to choosing the right and not the wrong. Choose the best before God and not the best to our eyes. In our daily life contexts, God sends his words through the prophets, pastors and servants of God.
2. Concept of the name Immanuel is Jesus Christ.
Emmanuel is Jesus Christ: The word Immanuel is the most used word during Christmas, the most sung word during Christmas around the world. This word first appeared in Isaiah 7:14. Emmanuel means “with us is God” or God with us. The Name of Jesus Christ is related to Immanuel: ‘Jesus’ is a Greek name for the Hebrew name ‘Joshua’ ("he who saves"). Likewise, the Greek name ‘Christ’ refers to the Hebrew name ‘Meshiach’ (messiah = anointed one). The original name ‘Jesus the Christ’ has been shortened to ‘Jesus Christ. Gospel of Matthew introduces the names to us as Jesus who is the Saviour as well as Emmanuel.
Jesus Christ used the word “I Am” to communicate the Omnipresent God as a present, personable and knowable God to all people. He came to us as the mediator between God and man. He is the Redeemer, Saviour, and Friend. He lived among us, showed us the way to the Father, then paved that way Himself through His death on the cross. (ref:ibelieve.com).
The smell of an elegant perfume can’t be felt, enjoyed and sensed if you have a nose block with cold. Likewise the sinners, the wicked, the godless never understand the presence of Emmanuel till their barricade is removed. Jesus Christ is the content of our Lives. He changed the content, concepts, philosophies of our lives. He is the God of grace and love. When he enters into our lives he changes direction, purposes and use of our lives.
3. Contribution of Immanuel
It is not only content and contextual but manifested through his contribution to individuals, communities and kingdoms. The manifestation of Jesus Christ is attested in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke present a nativity story, the events surrounding the Birth of Jesus. The date of birth has no clarity. Matthew claims that Jesus was born roughly two years before the death of Herod the Great (4 BCE). Luke claims that Jesus was born during the governorship of Quirinus in Syria (6 CE). All the gospels record the ministry and death of Jesus during the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate. Pilate reigned from 26-36 CE. The common date for the death of Jesus falls between 30-33 CE.(ref:worldhistry.org/Jesus Christ).
Immanuel is associated with us on all occasions and situations. We have several examples in the Bible, such as Jacob, Joseph, David and prophets. Jacob had this experience in midst of his unfaithful and fraudulent ways. He experienced the presence of God during his fight with his brother, his arguments with his father in law. He saw the intervention of God during his habitation among the Shechem tribe as per the promise he had given (Genesis 28:15).
Joseph had the confederation of Immanuel in the pit when he was thrown by his brothers out of envy. Immanuel was with him in the Potiphar’s house while he was tested by the infidelity of that beautiful woman. Immanuel was with him during his imprisonment. Joseph could have not seen but later understood the journey of Immanuel with him. It was the promise of God to Moses that he would be with them (Exodus 33:14), and he would go before them for the battle (Deuteronomy 20:1). David had seen that Immanuel was with him on all his battlefield. He had overcome the Goliath with Immanuel. He was always victorious in all his battle because of the Immanuel( 1 Samuel 18:14). He said to God: if you were not with me I could have died in my distress. He had strengthened himself in the Lord.
The New Testament saints had witnessed to this Immanuel. John writes in his Gospel that this Immanuel dwelt among us with full of grace, love(John 1:14-18). John in his First Epistle wrote to his readers that he had seen, touched and experienced this Immanuel (1 John 1:1-3). Paul on his voyage testified that how he had the vision of God and the assurance of God that he would not die and God has spared the 276 people with him (Acts 27:24). Today, we experience Immanuel on every occasion and in every small gathering according to his promise given in Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Conclusion: The context of the name Immanuel, the concept of the name of Immanuel, and the contribution of Immanuel to us is personal to us.
