December 18, 2023: Immanuel, God With Us

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means God with us). (Matthew 1:23, ESV)
 
What does 'God with us' mean? First, it was a prophetic word given to Ahaz in Isaiah 7:14. It is a word of great hope! 'God with you' is never a bad day! The Word creates expectation. Ahaz expects a son to be born! A man-child! A king! The mother of this child will have expectations! A righteous ruler excites the expectations of the people! Jesus, as the fulfillment of this scripture, creates wonder! Think of it and apply it to yourself... IMMANUEL! GOD WITH US!!! "God with us" means that the Creator became a creature (flesh and blood, like us) with us! That astounds me!

Christmas is not about humanity's worth and goodness but about God's mind-blowing mercy towards us—the mercy that He would come and reveal Himself to us, die for us, and, on the third day, rise and save anyone who would believe in Him. He became poor so that we might be made rich. He became sin so that we might become righteous!

'God with us' means I get to know Him as He is! I get to know God! Jesus is with us, and He is here to save us! This means that God is knowable, and He wants us to know Him! "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God." (Colossians 1:15, NLT)  I stand in awe! Immanuel, God with us!