Learn About “Emmanuel”

As we celebrate this Christmas season, it is highly imperative that we understand one of the names that was proclaimed when Jesus was to be conceived in Mary! Hmm….

‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name …EMMANUEL… which being interpreted is, …GOD WITH US.’ (Matt 1:23)

EMMANUEL!!! What a name! The day you understand why Jesus bears this name, that is the day you will start appreciating the Gospel of Grace in a grand style! Under Law, the Bible made a serious statement concerning God’s relationship with man:

‘Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:….but your INIQUITIES have separated between you and your God,…and your SINS have hid his face from you, that he will not hear’! (Isaiah 59:1-2)

Hmm… God was SEPARATED from man because of man’s sinfulness! But the birth of Jesus removed that separation TOTALLY!!!

‘For He (Jesus) is our PEACE, …who hath made both one….and hath broken down the MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION between us’! (Eph 2:14)

There is no longer a ‘middle wall of partition’ between God and man! (vs 16) It is not because God overlooked our sins! No! It is because Someone paid for our sins! Therefore one of Jesus’ name declared at His birth is ‘EMMANUEL’…..which means …’GOD WITH US’! It simply implies that SIN no longer separates us anymore from God!

In one of the popular Christmas hymns titled HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING… I love a particular line that reminds me what Jesus did for me!

‘Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild. GOD AND SINNERS RECONCILED’!

Wow! Christmas is not Christmas if we fail to realize that it is ALL about reminding ourselves that by ONE MAN’s birth and death…’GOD AND SINNERS RECONCILED’! Hmm….. We can now approach God’s Throne …BOLDLY….without a fear of Judgment for our sins!!! The Blood price of the cross erased your sins TOTALLY! Now you can enter the Holiest BOLDLY without any fear of DEATH or JUDGMENT!

‘Having therefore, brethren, BOLDNESS to ENTER into the HOLIEST by the blood of Jesus’! (Heb 10:19)

Stop thinking that this truth will make you begin to live a sinful life! No! That is a ‘baby-ish’ way of thinking! (1cor 13:11) I tell you the Truth: you will end up loving Jesus more when you understand that:

– through His pain, you had gains (Rev 5:12);

– through his stripes, you had strength (Isaiah 53:5);

– through his poverty, you have prosperity (2cor 8:9); and

– through His death, you now have LIFE abundantly (John 10:10)!

That is the totality of the GOSPEL OF GRACE! Therefore REJOICE! EMMANUEL!!! God is WITH us!!! We can be sure of answered prayers through the finished work of Christ! Oh! Thank You Gracious Lord!

Therefore I wish you a Merry Christmas season and a Gracious new year.

Amen.