10 Ways Emmanuel – "God with Us" – Changes Everything
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God is with us. It is a short sentence with a deep meaning. The long-awaited Messiah finally makes His entrance to earth in a little town called Bethlehem. He was called Emmanuel which means “God with us.” Jesus in full humanity came to earth fully man yet fully God.
It is a complex design for our human minds to comprehend. He was perfect. The only human that ever walked the earth with no sin. His coming didn’t just rattle the generation of His time. It literally changed everything for eternity. No longer were animals needed to be slaughtered for sin. No longer was a high priest required in the holy of holies. With the death, burial, and resurrection of Emmanuel, the veil was torn from top to bottom and every person gained free access and ability to come to God through Jesus Christ. We gained a living hope who is with us – Emmanuel.
Today, we will unpack how Emmanuel, meaning God with us, changes everything.
1. God with Us from the Beginning
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2).
In John we find an interesting account of the “Word” being with God in the beginning. John was giving a clear message to the Jewish and Gentile audience that the “Word” was always there, had been there, and would be there.
The “Word” here is in reference to the Son of God. In ancient culture, God was often referred to as the “Word of God,” but here we find it as the Word being with God and the Word being God. This implies two separate beings yet the same. Equals yet distinct.
John was setting the stage to introduce the Messiah, God’s Son as Emmanuel, the one who would come to be with His people. This bold proclamation would have shook things up. Some would believe. Some would deny. Some would criticize. Some would crucify. This Word, Jesus, would change the course of life for everyone. Emmanuel was not an afterthought; He is the eternal plan of God made visible.
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2. God with Us Was Promised
“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).
Approximately seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah prophesied to King Ahaz that there would be a sign for the coming Messiah. A young girl would give birth to a child and call him Immanuel. The meaning of the name gave insight to the coming King, one who would be with the people, as a baby.
This prophecy is one of the most well-known and fulfilled prophecies of Jesus’ birth. We find it here and it is fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23. God’s presence was prophesied long before it was seen.
3. God with Us Was Fulfilled
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’” (Matthew 1:22-23).
Matthew recorded the genealogy of Jesus. And in Matthew 1:22 we find the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. Immanuel, God with us had come. When we look back at the timeline and the incredible orchestration of our mighty God, we cannot help but be overwhelmed and in awe.
God told Isaiah hundreds of years before the birth of Christ what would happen, where it would happen, and how it would happen. This gives us great faith and hope to build on. God knows. He knew from the very beginning. He was with Jesus then, He was with Jesus on earth, and He is with Jesus now. But the difference for us is Jesus gives us access to God.
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4. God with Us Brings Salvation
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).
God loved you and me so much that He gave His only Son as the ultimate sacrifice. Prior to Jesus, the requirement was the regular bloodshed of animals. There was constant killing and offering up animals to atone for sin of every kind.
When God sent Jesus as the One final sacrifice, everything changed. Forever, there would no longer be a need to shed the blood of animals. Jesus' blood covered every sin.
5. God with Us Reveals God’s Glory
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Jesus' life on earth gave us a glimpse of God’s glory. While we can read about it, we can also experience it. That is what Emmanuel means. It means God is here through Jesus.
Since they are equal, Jesus was fully God when He walked on this earth. When you and I choose to follow Him and believe Him for salvation, we experience what Emmanuel means. We can experience God personally.
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6. God with Us Sends Us Out
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
The message Jesus offered was comforting and compelling. It was not a “come to Me and keep it to yourself” message. Before He ascended to Heaven, He gave a bold command. It was a “go and tell” message.
The implication was such that those who have experienced what Emmanuel means should tell others what they have experienced. If you know Jesus, the Messiah, the one true King, the life change He brings is worth sharing with others. His presence makes a difference for eternity. It is like nothing else any human will ever experience.
7. God with Us Strengthens and Sustains Us
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Here are more words from the prophet Isaiah proclaiming the truth about Emmanuel. Jesus coming to earth and leaving the comforts of heaven gives believers the ability to know God is with us. All through the Bible we find prophets pointing to God with us. And in the New Testament He finally is.
Jesus' birth was not just a cute children’s story that we celebrate with presents and decorations. Jesus’ birth changed everything for everyone. It gives the opportunity for new life in Christ. For transformation from death to life. For lasting peace through the Prince of Peace. For complete comfort in Christ.
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8. God with Us Keeps His Promises
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
When Joshua was commanded to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses, God promised to be with Him. This God-with-us-promise is one of the deepest comforts we can cling to as believers in Christ.
From the very beginning and all throughout history we see God with His children. The fullness of Jesus coming to earth is a beautiful revelation to mankind that God does what He says He will do. He is with you. He is with me.
9. God with Us Never Lets Go
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
If we ever doubt God with us, let us go back to the Bible and see God’s truth. Paul says it plainly in Romans that nothing can separate us from God’s amazing love. The beauty in these verses is found at the end of verse 39, “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus is God with us. There is nothing that can change that fact.
10. God with Us Is Our Everlasting King
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Celebrate Jesus! He is Emmanuel, God with us. His coming to earth was only the beginning of His display of power through Jesus. There is coming a day when He will return in all His amazing glory, and every knee will bow to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
He was with God in the beginning. He came to us as a baby born in a manger. And God is with us still today.
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