Emmanuel – Is God with You or Against You?

Emmanuel extends forgiveness for all the wrongs you have ever done. Let this Christmas be one you will never forget. Place your trust in Jesus. - Clint Decker

In the 1980s, Michael W. Smith wrote the lyrics to the Christmas song, Emmanuel. His friend and fellow musical artist, Amy Grant, recorded the song in 1983, leading to over 1-million album sales, making it a fan favorite for many years. The lyrics say, “Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Wonderful, Counselor, Lord of life, Lord of all, He is the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One.” (Image from Pixabay)

Emmanuel or Immanuel refers to baby Jesus born on Christmas Day, but what does it mean? The Old Testament part of the Bible was originally written in Hebrew. Immanuel comes from two Hebrew words. “Immanu”, meaning “with us”, and “El” meaning “God”, so Emmanuel means “God with us.” Across the 66 books of the Bible, Immanuel is only used three times. One of those is found in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” It is a prophecy written about Jesus, given over 700 years before His birth.

When it was originally given around the year 735 B.C (not BCE by the way), it was spoken to King Ahaz and was not good news for him. God meant it as a word of judgment for his defiance in refusing to place His trust in the Lord God for the defense and perseveration of the Kingdom of Judah. God was in essence telling Ahaz, “There is coming the birth of a baby boy, and he will be given the name Immanuel, and that boy will be sign from me to you.” In light of King Ahaz’s defiance, it meant something dramatic. It meant the boy would be a continual reminder to Ahaz that God is present and against Him. Ahaz had made Immanuel his enemy!

When Christ was born on the first Christmas day and celebrated as Immanuel, God with us, immediately He had enemies. His most ruthless, was King Herod. For he attempted to hunt down baby Jesus and slaughter Him. Instead, Jesus and His family fled, but other baby boys were killed in what historians labeled as the Massacre of the Innocents. Over the centuries many have lined up behind Herod, defiantly refusing to come and worship the Christ. We see this in the refusal of some businesses to say, “Merry Christmas”, schools in allowing valedictorians to acknowledge “Jesus” in their speeches and in the persecution of Christians in atheistic and Islamic nations around the world.

But there is another side to Immanuel, one that inspires divine Christmas hope. When God made the prophecy to Ahaz, it was a sign to the remnant of Judah who trusted in God and His promises. A sign that one day a Messiah would rise up from the tribe of Judah and be a Savior to the world. On that first Christmas in Bethlehem, between 6 and 4 B.C., Immanuel was miraculously born of a virgin and fulfilled that prophecy. And to all who trusted in Him, like Joseph, Mary, the Shepherds and the wise men, there was abounding joy and celebration! It was a day that forever changed the future of humanity.

The birth of Immanuel, the Christ-child, is a sign that God is not far off. He is near. He has come to live among us and bring His life transforming message of repentance, faith and obedience to Him.

Who is Immanuel to you this Christmas? Are you holding your fist in the face of Jesus, defiantly refusing to come and worship Him? Do not make Emmanuel your enemy. It is a dangerous path to walk.

Today, come and worship Immanuel! The Creator of heaven and earth came to live with us and preached a message of life and hope. Then He died as a sacrifice for your sins, and three days later rose again from the dead. Immanuel extends forgiveness for all the wrongs you have ever done. Let this Christmas be one you will never forget. Place your trust in Immanuel!

A prayer for you – Lord God, thank you for leaving heaven and coming to earth. I pray you will become the Savior to many this Christmas, and may your forgiveness become someone’s greatest gift. In Jesus’ name. Amen.