Gò0dNews for Everyone
Immanuel— “God with Us”
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by Kenneth E. Ware
ames were of great importance in Jewish antiquity. Jews
states, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which
often gave Hebrew names to their children in relation
was lost” (cf. Luke 19:10).
to the character and nature of God. Because of their
III. Immanuel—His Divine Essence (Matt. 1:23)
covenantal relationship with God, in many cases, the person would
God gave Ahaz, king of Judah, a sign that a Son would be born
live out the meaning of their name, based upon their faithfulness to
to a young prophetess who was a virgin at the time of the prophecy
God. For instance, the name “Jacob,” which means “heal grabber,”
(cf. Isa. 7:14). Later, after the death of Isaiah’s first wife, the same
“trickster” or “deceiver,” were all bad characters of the patriarch of old, yet God changed his name to Israel— “prince of God.” Many Jews bore the names of God, but not His nature. There may not be anything of significance to your name, but as a Christian, you bear the divine nature of God within (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4). In the gospel according to Matthew, the true essence of Christmas is put on display. God has become Man in the person of Jesus Christ. I. Christ—His Official Title (Matt. 1:18) Christ is not Jesus’ last name. In fact, in both Old and New Testaments, last names were associated with either the name of the person’s father or the town where they were from. For example, “Joshua the son of Nun” (cf. Ex. 33:11), “Elijah the Tishbite” (cf. 1 Kings 17:1), “James and John the sons of Zebedee” (cf. Mark 10:35), and “Judas Iscariot” (cf. John 12:4). To be exact, Christ is not a name at all. It is one of the official titles of Jesus. It is equivalent to the Hebrew rendering, “Messiah.” It means, “the Anointed One” (Psa. 2:2). How is He the Anointed
young woman later became his second wife and bore him a son (cf. Isa. 8:1-4). It was her first child, but Isaiah’s second son. Isaiah’s son’s name was, “Maher-shalal-hash-baz.” The
One? God anointed Him to fulfill the entire law of Moses, to
prophecy instructed to name him “Immanuel,” but Isaiah gave
sacrificially atone for the penalty of man’s sins, to resist Satan’s
his son a different name. The reason for this is that the prophecy
temptations, to complete the plan of redemption through His
points to Mary and Jesus (fulfilled more than 700 years later), not
substitutionary death on the cross, to heal the sick, to give sight to
Isaiah’s wife and her son (cf. Matt. 1:23). This is infallible proof that
the blind, to enable the lame to walk, to preach the gospel, to set
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 7:14.
people free from the power, pollution, and penalty of sin etc. (cf.
Jesus has another Hebrew name, “Immanuel,” which means,
Isa. 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19; Heb. 1:8-9). Just as prophets, priests, and
“God with us.” Jesus is God in flesh (cf. John 1:14; Col. 2:9).
kings were anointed to carry out certain tasks, so it was with Jesus
Sometimes referred to as the “hypostatic union,” Jesus is absolute
Christ. As Prophet, Priest, and King, He, too, was anointed by God.
deity and true humanity—two natures in one person. God became
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (cf. Matt. 16:16).
Man in the person of Jesus Christ. He came from heaven to
II. Jesus—His Human Name (Matt. 1:20-21)
earth, so that you can one day leave earth and go to heaven. This
During the days of her virginity, Mary was miraculously with
Christmas season, remember Jesus as “Immanuel—God with us.”
child, not by Joseph, but by the Holy Spirit. In fact, Joseph was
He will never leave you nor forsake you, neither in this life, nor
told the child’s gender—a Son, and His name, Jesus. To be exact,
in the life to come (cf. Heb. 13:5). He promised to be with you,
He was given the Hebrew name, Yehoshuah (Yeshuah), which
“always, even to the end of the age” (cf. Matt. 28:20). Have a Merry
means, “The Lord is Salvation.” It was imperative that Joseph give
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Him that name because He would save His people from their sins. another name in past, present, or future history that offers salvation (cf. Acts 4:12). Jesus, the most unique person in all history, is the only One who can save you from sin (cf. Acts 4:12). Even Jesus Himself
34 // December 2021
About The Author
Salvation is of the Lord (cf. Psa. 3:8; 62:1). There has never been
Kenneth E. Ware, M.M., M.A.B.S., M. Div. is a husband, father, pastor of New Scholar Avenue Baptist Church, and graduate of Temple Baptist Seminary. Pastor Ware is also a Christian writer and an Expository Bible Teacher at Samford University Ministry Training Institute in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
