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)

Meditation

God with us! He didn’t have to do that. He doesn’t need us, we need him. He could have remained in heaven and sent us all to the pits of hell on Judgment Day. Instead, he chose to become one of us. He chose to be tempted by and to overcome sin. He is the Creator of the universe and yet, he came as a helpless child who couldn’t even feed himself. He could have been born into a royal family and enjoyed all the luxuries that could be afforded at the time. Instead, he was born to a poor family in a smelly stable and laid in a feeding trough. His birth should have been proclaimed by kings and princes. Instead, the first to announce the savior to the world were lowly shepherds.

Do you need proof the prophecies of the Bible are true? This one was made about seven hundred [700] years before Jesus was laid in that manger in Bethlehem. Don’t let anyone tell you it was added after Jesus was born. The Dead Sea Scrolls put that lie to rest. There are over three hundred [300] other prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the coming Messiah. All of them were fulfilled with the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He created us in the beginning. He was with us when we submitted our lives to him at the very beginning. His first advent is proof that God is in control. His life is proof that he loves us. His death is proof of the Father’s justice. His resurrection is proof our hope for eternity is not in vain. His second advent is further proof he keeps his promise.

He didn’t have to be born at all. He could have come down from heaven as a conqueror, killing whoever refused to worship him. Instead, he came as a humble servant, healing the sick and teaching the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand. He could have called down legions of angels to keep him from being crucified on the cross. Instead, he willingly died so that each and every one of us can be freed from the bondage of sin and hold on to the blessed hope of eternity in heaven with him. Many people require signs to believe. Some will not be convinced by this sign. Most of the people of Judah would not believe their Messiah had come to them. He came to die for them, and through them, all of us. Is there any greater love in the whole universe?

Prayer Time

Lord God you are the ruler of heaven and earth, and our existence is in your hands. We trust whatever your will for our lives is, and we ask for your continued mercy and grace. Your plan for our redemption was set into motion in the Garden after the fall of Adam and Eve. From that point, it took about another four thousand years to bring your plan to fruition. The fulfilled prophecies you’ve given us in your Word, make it much easier to boldly share the truth with an unbelieving world. We thank you, Lord, for your boundless love, that while we were still sinners, you willingly died for us. There is nothing we can do to earn your love or sacrifice. We will joyfully worship you forever, first, while we’re here on earth, and then for an eternity in heaven. Take us out of our comfort zones and push us to greater and greater service in the work of the kingdom. Help us to stay on the narrow path, but when we fail you, forgive our missteps and guide us back. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!