Well we're in the middle of advent, which is a time to remember Jesus and who He is, so I figured now would be a perfect time to talk about one of His many names - Immanuel. I'm not sure why, but I've always loved the name Immanuel.
Perhaps it is because of the wonderful songs that have been written about that name - think "O Come O come Emmanuel" and "Emmanuel," a la Michael W Smith and Amy Grant. Perhaps it's the meaning of the word, "God with us." Perhaps it's simply because it has a pretty sound, a lovely cadence that rolls pleasantly off the tongue and washes gently over the ears.
Perhaps it is because of the wonderful songs that have been written about that name - think "O Come O come Emmanuel" and "Emmanuel," a la Michael W Smith and Amy Grant. Perhaps it's the meaning of the word, "God with us." Perhaps it's simply because it has a pretty sound, a lovely cadence that rolls pleasantly off the tongue and washes gently over the ears.
Whatever the reason, Immanuel is a wonderful word. It's a wonderful name. Immanuel, as I mentioned before, means God With Us. But the awesome thing about that statement is that, although God came to us as a baby, He didn't stay that way. He came to us as a baby, but He is with us now as a conqueror.
And let's be real, as much as I love babies, they're not much help in a battle. When I'm waging war against a powerful, unseen enemy, I'd much rather have a conqueror on my side than a baby. That's the good part. He is most certainly a conqueror, no longer a baby. And he is also most certainly with us - He is our Immanuel.
And let's be real, as much as I love babies, they're not much help in a battle. When I'm waging war against a powerful, unseen enemy, I'd much rather have a conqueror on my side than a baby. That's the good part. He is most certainly a conqueror, no longer a baby. And he is also most certainly with us - He is our Immanuel.
Matthew 1:18-25
18This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrance, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he has considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will give conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
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