Immanuel.
This is a beautiful name. A name that causes us to sing and rejoice because it tells us that GOD is with us!
So many people during the time of Jesus had no idea that when they were looking upon Him they were looking into the face of God. That the hands who handed them a drink were omnipotent hands, and the words that He spoke were words of salvation. And as Mary held her baby she had no idea what pain the God-man would take on Himself because of love – love for His people.
Immanuel – God WITH us!
The various names and titles that God has are not empty names, but names that are filled with meaning. “Immanuel” is one of the names the depth of which we can never reach.
We often take comfort in the fact that God is with us when we are afraid or anxious. This is a good thing. But God is not just some spirit who follows us around or hovers in the same room that we are in. His presence is much more amazing – much more personal.
God took on flesh and made His home among people He had created.
His coming had a very beautiful and sobering purpose. He came to die.
His death would ensure a bond between Christ the Savior and the sinners He came to save.
We call it the great exchange. Sin was exchanged for righteousness, death for life, hate for love, enmity for friendship, and emptiness for the presence of God.
Immanuel – God with US!
You, dear believer, have been crucified with Christ! It is no longer you who live, but Christ now lives in you!
Immanuel means God is with YOU! He will never leave you or forsake you, and He has made His home in you. And He is in you because He loves you!
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…. (Gal 2:20)
So where can we go to escape His presence? Nowhere because we cannot separate Him from our hearts, and nothing can separate us from His love (Rom 8:38, 39). What can we do to make Him leave us? Nothing, because His love is stronger than any of our sin.
The great redeemer lives, and He lives in you!
