Mensa Otabil - Immanuel
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Welcome to a brand new week, and it’s a joy to come to you once again with God’s word. As you know, we’re in the month of December, a time when we start thinking a lot about Christmas, which is just around the corner. So beginning today until Christmas Day, I will be focusing my teachings on the Christmas story. We’ll look at various passages of Scripture that point to Jesus Christ, his birth, and what it means to us.
Today, we start with a familiar prophecy from the book of Isaiah, specifically Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14: «Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.» This is a prophecy from Isaiah that is associated with the coming of Jesus Christ. Many of the prophecies in the Bible have dual references; at the time the prophecy is spoken, it has an application to something happening and something that will occur in the future. This prophecy is one of them-a messianic prophecy.
This passage tells us three things about the birth of Jesus Christ. The first is that his birth will be a sign from God. It states that the Lord himself will give you a sign. The birth of Jesus Christ is a sign, and we say it’s a sign because it is unique. No other birth is like his. There is something special about the birth of Jesus Christ that sets him apart as special and unique, so it’s a sign.The second thing is that he will be born of a virgin. The virgin shall conceive and bear a son.
Many people stumble at the notion of the virgin birth, that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. They say, «Well, it has never happened; it’s not possible.» That’s why it’s a sign. If it weren’t a sign, then it would not be a virgin birth. The virgin birth is unique to Jesus; there will be nobody like that before or after. There will never be another situation like this when a child is conceived under these circumstances. So, it’s a sign from God, and the prophecy states clearly that it’s going to be a virgin who will give birth.
The third thing is the name of Jesus, and I’ll spend some time discussing it. His name shall be called Emmanuel. Now, we know that Jesus Christ was not called Emmanuel as a proper name, but his name Emmanuel signifies who he was-God with us. So it wasn’t a name he carried on and on; he was called Jesus or Yeshua. However, Emmanuel signifies who he is; that is the name that identifies him-God with us.
It tells us that when Jesus comes into our lives, God is coming into our lives. When he reaches out to us, God is reaching out to us. He’s with us, not just to watch our lives but also to participate in our lives. He’s in our lives to get involved in our lives. So when Jesus comes into our lives, he gets involved in our lives. He becomes our helper; he’s our savior, our deliverer, and our healer. If your head is down, he will lift you up. If you are anxious, he gives you assurance of his presence. So he’s God with us, and he’s with us today.
Now, the Christmas season can be a very stressful time. In the midst of all the celebrations, meeting with family, and having fun, there are also practical things to do. People have to do shopping, and parents have to look for money to buy gifts for their children. Sometimes gatherings have to take place, and they all cost money; parties cost money. So in the midst of the joy, there’s also a lot of anxiety: Will I be able to do the things I’m supposed to do at this end-of-year festival for my children and my family, including decorations, food, and trees? God is with us.
So in your anxiety of planning and thinking about all the things you must accomplish, remember that God is with you. He’s your provider; he’s your helper. Trust him to take care of you throughout this Christmas season, and may this be the best Christmas you’ve ever celebrated.
Let’s pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence with me and your power at work in me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.