Immanuel

In His Name Devotionals
IMMANUEL

“His name shall be called Immanuel.” (Matthew 1:23)

Names were designed to distinguish the characteristics of that which is named. Today society has lost that usage, but when God gives a name, you may be sure it indicates the attributes of the bearer. You read of Jesus, “His name shall be called Immanuel.” That is further explained, “which being interpreted, is God with us.”

The more you examine the record, the more you find Jesus worthy of that name. Before His incarnation, His presence was felt and expressed in such passages as John 1:1. From this beginning He was often in evidence, but not bodily until we read, “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us...” (John 1:14). That is in this same world, with the same nature, exposed to the same influences, and suffering. This Paul called a “great mystery” (1 Timothy 3:16). And there is no real godliness separate from it.

Jesus is that “New and Living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:20). For three and a half years, He walked among men and became our Savior. The same writer said, “For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself Likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14,15).

Yes, He is in fact, “Immanuel!”