Reflecting on the Meaning of Immanuel: God with Us

To prepare my heart for Christmas this year, I decided to host a virtual Bible Study based on a devotional, which I highly recommend; “Unwrapping the Names of Jesus” by Asheritah Ciuciu.

I spent three sessions, each lasting two hours, with a group of wonderful ladies as we studied the names of Jesus and focused our attention on Him and away from life’s distractions. The purpose of today’s post, inspired by Asheritah’s devotional, is to wish you a very Merry Christmas and share my reflection on the name of Jesus, which impacted me the most during our Bible study; Immanuel.

Why are the Names of Jesus Important?

The names of Jesus reflect who He is.

Since our chief aim is to praise and glorify God, as we get to know Jesus more intimately, we can praise and worship Him more richly and deeper (see Isaiah 43:7; 1 Peter 2:9).

The names of Jesus also reflect who we are in Him.

Our identity and purpose stem from who we are in Christ. Therefore, as we dive deeper into our knowledge and revelation of who He is, we are better equipped to fulfill the call He has placed on our lives.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 NIV

Unlimited, immeasurable power and authority are in the name of Jesus.

No authority in Heaven or earth surpasses the authority in the name of Jesus.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

Jesus has sent us out into the world and delegated His authority to us in His name.

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:15-18 NIV

We pray and make requests of God in the name of Jesus.

In His own words, Jesus promised that God would give us what we ask for in His name.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 NIV

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:23-24 NIV

See also Matthew 18:19-20 and John 14:12-14.

So now that we have discussed the importance of the names of Jesus, let’s reflect on the meaning and significance of Immanuel: God with us.

Immanuel: God with us

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 NIV

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23 NIV

Immanuel means God with us.

God created us in His image so that we can relate intimately and enjoy unbroken fellowship with Him. Sin came into the world through Adam, and all of mankind inherited his sinful nature (Romans 5:12). Since God is a holy and pure God, our sin separates us from Him (Isaiah 59:2).

After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God promised to send the Seed of the woman (Jesus) into the world to win victory over the devil, sin, and its consequences (Genesis 3:14-15). With the power of sin broken, we would be reconciled to a peaceful and wholesome relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Jesus came into the world fully God and yet, fully human so that He could represent us before God and bring us back into a relationship with Him (Hebrews 2:14). He is the Son of God, but He is no less God. There are multiple Scriptures in the Bible which testify to the truth that Jesus is God. (See Isaiah 9:6; John 1:18; 14:9; 10:30; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15)

As a result of His virgin birth through the Holy Spirit, He did not receive Adam’s sinful nature (Matthew 1:18). Jesus came face to face with the same temptations we experience but did not sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22).

Jesus is our perfect representation before God because He has walked in our shoes. While on earth, He slept (Mark 4:38), ate (Matthew 9:10), was hungry (Mark 11:12), cried (John 11:35), was angry (John 2:13-17), and experienced deep sorrow (Matthew 26:37-38; John13:21).

He was the perfect sacrifice who died in our place. Jesus completely fulfilled His mission of shedding His blood, dying on the cross, and resurrecting from the dead to give us eternal life (Romans 3:23-24; 6:23).

Immanuel: God with Us is also Christ in Us

Before He died on the cross, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to help and empower us to live for Him (John 14:16). Just as the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Scriptures also refer to Him as the Spirit of Christ, which reflects the unity of the Trinity.

“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6 NIV

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27

So, my brothers and sisters, we are not orphans. We are children of God who loves us so much that He was willing to step down from Heaven to walk on this earth in human flesh among humans to restore His relationship with us, which was broken by sin (John 3:16-17).

Immanuel experienced life as a human. He knows us intimately, understands our strengths and weaknesses and has faced the temptations we face. Immanuel knows what rejection and heartache feel like. He has promised to be with us ALWAYS (Matthew 28:20), and the best part is that He has put His Spirit within us to empower us to live in victory as He did.

Is anything too difficult for Immanuel?

Of course not!

Therefore, I encourage you to praise Jesus, glorify Him and put your trust fully in Him. He is with you, He is for you, and He is in you.

I pray that you will continue to grow in your knowledge and revelation of who Jesus is as you study the Word and yield yourself to the Holy Spirit. And I pray that you will step out in boldness to do everything He has called you to do because you know and believe that He is with you all the way. Amen!

You are blessed.

Chizobam

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.