by Dr. Jim Reese
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and
they will call him Immanuel”– which means, “God with us.”
Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23
This amazing prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled 700 years later when Jesus was born. He is God with us. Jesus is fully God and fully man. As my pastor says, “Jesus is God as He really is and man as he is intended to be.” (B.P.)
When the first men landed on the moon on July 20, 1969 President Nixon declared, “This is the greatest event in human history!” Billy Graham responded by saying, “The landing on the moon by humans is significant, but the greatest event in the history of mankind was when God came down to earth to be our Savior.”
As a song written by my father says:
Rockets may soar into spaces far reaches.
Man may arrive on the strangest of beaches.
But the greatest event since creation began
Took place on that day when God became man.
God became man, O great condescension.
God became man with blessed intention.
From ruin to reigning he lifts us in grace;
God became man, O gaze on his face! (H.T.R. and J.A.R.)
How amazing that the sovereign Creator Sustainer of the universe was willing to become the Savior of all us sinners by entering our world as a baby, living a sinless life, dying a substitutionary death for us and rising again to give forgiveness, life and hope to all who receive him!
I was just a boy when I opened my heart to Jesus, my Savior. Hopefully you, too, remember when you made that greatest decision of your life. When you receive Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord, then you can truly say, “Emmanuel – God with me.”
Let me share with you some of the practical benefits of knowing Jesus personally as “God with us:”
- Knowing Jesus’ presence in my life keeps me from fear. There are a lot of spooky things in this world that can cause me to be afraid. Things like health issues, financial squeezes, relational clashes at home or on the job, wars among nations, the “un-greening” of our beautiful planet, and the fear of an uncertain future. But God says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
- Knowing God is as close to me as my beating heart keeps me from sin. When I was a small boy my parents taught me Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” They knew they couldn’t always monitor my behavior, so they impressed upon me to live my life “Coram Deo”, which means “before the face of God.” It carries the notion that God always sees me and desires for me to live in the constant awareness of his presence, submitting to his authority and seeking only to honor him. If I constantly remind myself that God is here right now, he knows everything about me and is concerned about every detail of my life; if I recognize that someday I must give account to him for every thought, word and deed: Wow! Does that ever put a damper on my natural bent to sin! And, Wow! Does that ever release me to think, speak and do what is right all the time!
- Knowing that Jesus is with me keeps me hope-filled. Because I’ve trusted Jesus as Savior, I know that God’s Holy Spirit lives within me. He teaches me and empowers me to do what is right. It’s a scary, but wonderful thought to know that God is so close to me that my “body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (I Cor. 6:19). And I know that his plans for me are “out of this world!” Heaven is a real place now being prepared by Jesus for all who love him (John 14:2-3). When times are tough I should remind myself that today’s problems will someday be resolved. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col.1:27). Jesus is with me and someday I’ll be with him in Heaven!
- Knowing God is with us keeps me patient and joyful. There’s no room for grumpiness when I’m overwhelmed with the wonder of God’s person and presence in my life. Knowing “Emmanuel – God with us” is what established Christian Horizons. The day our son Steven was born, Adrienne and I had a calm assurance that God was very near and up to something very special. Our job was just to trust him and thank him and praise him. That very day God gave me “Wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14) and he gave Adrienne “Rejoice in the Lord” (Phil. 4:4). Jesus is what Christian Horizons is all about. He’s here right now. And through the involvement of many people, including you, God is unfolding a marvelous vision that has only just begun.
The angel’s announcement is true, “Emmanuel -- God with us” is “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:11). So let’s enjoy his presence, and let’s share his love!
Jesus left Heaven for me,
Died for my sins on that tree.
Such love compels my heart to reach out
Till others see Jesus in me.
Sharing God’s love with others.
Sharing God’s love at home.
Sharing God’s love in God’s family.
Sharing wherever I roam.
Showing the world “God loves you,”
Telling “Christ died for us all.”
Living a life of giving.
Sharing God’s love till he calls. (J.A.R.)
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