Emmanuel: God With Us
Isaiah 7:14 (NASB) 2020 Edition
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.”
REFLECTION
God loves to make relationship with the humankind. Though human beings are the dust (Genesis 2:7, Psalm 103:14) or like grass (Psalm 103: 15) that seems to have no significance, God values us and takes care of us (Matthew 6:26, Ezekiel 18:23, Luke 15:10, Psalm 103:10, 145:9, John 3:16, 6:38-40) for he is made in His own image (Genesis 1:27, Luke 15:7, Matthew 18:14, Romans 5:8).
First, God gave His physical presence with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Even after men fell short of His glory and exchanged His glory with other entities (Romans 1:23, Genesis 3), He continued to communicate with them in one way or the other. He has communicated through nature, Torah, fire, direct voice, cloud, signs and miracles, rain, dreams and visions, shadow, man of God and prophets, angels, followed by a period of silence and finally through His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrew 1:1-2).
From the event of peoples’ preference of Moses speaking to them rather than God Himself speaking to them (Exodus 20:19), to giving His presence among His chosen ones through His presence in the tabernacle, mercy seat, clouds and miracles (Exodus 40:34-38), and finally, God’s dwelling in the physical temple (1 Kings 8:11) God has persistently showed His intention to have a relationship with the humankind. Then, God speaks through Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14) that a son will be borne in the house of David by a virgin who will be called Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’. This prophecy fulfills when the virgin Mary begets a Son by the power of the Most High (Luke 1:30-35). It is a wonderful joy that the seemingly distant God (Psalm 115:3) himself incarnates in the human flesh (in the person of ‘Jesus’) at His own desired (appointed) time (Galatians 4:4) and comes down with humility to dwell among the humankind (John 1:1, 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8, Colossians 2:9, Hebrew 1:3).
Now, we are God’s temple and He dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16, Matthew 18: 20, Matthew 28:20, Acts 2:1-13) and He promises to dwell with us till eternity (John 14:2-3, Revelation 21:3-4, 2 Corinthians 1:22).
PRAYER
Almighty God, we thank You for Your Son unending desire to dwell with us and make Yourself known, despite our frailty and sins. From creation to the incarnation of Jesus, You have shown us Your love and faithfulness, calling us into covenant relationship with You. Help us to embrace the truth that You now dwell in us through Your Spirit, making us temples of Your presence. Fill us with awe and gratitude, and empower us to live for your glory, until we dwell with You forever in eternity. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Written by the Milan Rijal is a NAMS Companion from Nepal, living and studying in Canada.
