Scripture Text: Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:23
In our last study, we discussed the reason for Jesus' birth: to save His people from their sins.
In the next verse, we will see that Apostle Matthew tells his fellow Jews that the birth of Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecy of Prophet Isaiah: "The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which means "God with us."
So here, Apostle Matthew wants to make everyone understand that the birth and arrival of the Lord Jesus in this world means that God is literally with us. Jesus is the embodiment of the presence of God among His people. This will become evident in the ministry of the Lord Jesus through the healing of the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and forgiving sins.
In addition, before the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ ended, in the last chapter and verse of Matthew, He continued to promise His disciples that He is always with them, that He is the God who will always be with us as long as we do His will. Just as the Scriptures say, "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." This is the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples and to all believers – that He is always with us – because He is God with us.
My fellow believers, remember that Lord Jesus Christ is God with us. As we carry out His will in this world, keep His promise in mind. He is with us always until the end of the age.
Reflect
1. Can you see the goodness, steadfast love, and faithfulness of God in the birth of Jesus Christ? That His birth a literal representation of God being with us?
2. Now that you know that God is always with us, does it fill you with eagerness to do His will?
3. Knowing that Jesus is God with us, does it give you the courage to face your fears by sharing His Gospel with others?
Remember
My fellow believers, God is faithful to His promise, and He is beyond that—that we can't express His faithfulness and goodness, especially in the birth of Jesus – where in His birth, God reached His people through His own begotten Son, Jesus Christ. In His birth, He is God with us.
My fellow believers, go and do the will of the Lord. Always trust in His promise and trust in Him because He is always with us.
Read
Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 28:20; Colossians 1:15
Pray
Father in Heaven, we thank you for your grace and mercy toward us. You allowed your Son, the very image of yourself, to reach us and save us from our sins. This is an overwhelming gift to us, who are sinners. We understand that this is your way of saving your people from sin and revealing your glory through your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Kommentare