Matthew 1:23, commentary and pictures

The name Emmanuel identifies Jesus as the divine presence come to dwell alongside humanity. It proclaims the incarnation, in which the eternal Word took human flesh, was born as a babe in Bethlehem, grew as a child among people, and ascended as victorious King of glory. In that humanity He reveals the character and glory of the Father, makes the divine thought audible, and shows a sympathy born of knowing human grief and trial. By uniting divinity with humanity in Himself He joined Himself to the race by an unbreakable bond, bringing deliverance from sin and power to keep heaven's law. That presence remains with believers at every step of the journey through the Comforter, and will continue in the renewed earth where the redeemed dwell with Him through endless ages.

God With Us in Jesus

The name given in the verse identifies Jesus, and interpreted it means God with us. The title Prince Immanuel is Christ as God with us.

The verse proclaims the incarnation, that the eternal Word became flesh and lived among people. It identifies the Child of Bethlehem as God manifest in human flesh. He came as a babe in Bethlehem and grew as a child, coming to earth as God in human form. He dwelt on earth among humanity and then, after His earthly work, ascended to heaven as the victorious King of glory. His humanity brings Him into touch with humanity, while His divinity gives Him power from God. Through Him believers receive the fullness of life and become God's children.

By taking human nature He reveals the glory, character and attributes of God. He represents the Father and displays the divine attributes, so that in Him the glory of the Godhead is seen. He is the image of God and God's thought made audible, making the Father known. He is the wisdom of God and the great I AM to the world. All that a human can know of God for salvation is measured by knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, because Christ represents the Father. Contemplating the divine character revealed in Him displays the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge in love reaching out to recover lost and ruined man, and this union of humanity and divinity is the most wonderful truth for men to grasp.

By dwelling among humanity He shows that God knows human trials and sympathizes with grief. He shows that the Creator is a friend to sinners. In Christ God dwelt on earth, and people became conscious of His presence and companionship. Through His teachings, promises, loving deeds and divine appeal His earthly life revealed God's presence and character. Through Him heaven came near to humanity, divine companionship and love were revealed, and the world was encompassed with God's love.

His coming revealed God's glory and love to people and angels. That revelation centers especially in the self-sacrificing love shown at Calvary, where God's character is revealed. That love is the law of life for earth and heaven. It will remain a subject of study for the redeemed and the unfallen throughout eternity.

Salvation Through Emmanuel

The child born at Bethlehem is God made manifest in human flesh, God with humanity. His humanity puts him in touch with human beings, while his divinity lays hold upon power from God. In taking human nature he joined himself to the human race by a tie that will never be broken. By his life and suffering and death he draws humanity into closer union with God.

God with humanity is the assurance of rescue from sin and of strength to keep the law of heaven. By taking human nature and keeping the commandments of God he demonstrated that fallen men and women can overcome and stand spotless. What he accomplished in human flesh opens the way for obedience in those who follow him.

He is the one in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The eternal Word became flesh and lived among people, and through him believers receive fullness of life and become children of God. Those who follow him grow in sympathy with him and receive his attributes. They come to know his love and power and to possess his unsearchable riches, and as they grasp more of his immeasurable love they are filled with all the fullness of God.

The Son of God lived among humanity, and in the renewed earth God will dwell with the redeemed. His presence with them will continue through endless ages. They will praise him forever for this gift, God's unspeakable gift.

Walking With Emmanuel Daily

Emmanuel means God with us in Christ Jesus, and this lays a broad and sure foundation for faith. He accompanies believers at every step of the journey to heaven and gives the believing soul hope of immortality. The Holy Spirit is with them as comforter and guide in perplexity, soothing sorrow and shielding them in temptation.

When people take Christ's yoke and yoke themselves to Him, He is with them. He supplies their weakness with His strength and their inefficiency with His power and success. This promise belongs to workers who humble themselves, cooperate willingly with God, and let Him remove the sin that hinders union with Christ. Taking glory to themselves causes them to lose His excellency.

God's becoming one with humanity implants divine love in human hearts and makes people children of one family. When His followers love one another as He loved them and love the world as He did, His mission is accomplished in them. Then God with them has become God in them, and heaven has begun on earth. Christ is the Saviour whose glory illumines His church, which, rescued by His blood and transformed by His provision, is to shine with the Light of the world amid a corrupt and disloyal world. Through the church Christ's light draws lost people to come to Him for refuge, where they find peace, light, and joy. His presence is also shown in Christians who make room for the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling is revealed through heavenly love flowing from them to bless others.

Emmanuel is the Prince, the Prince of heaven and Prince of Life, under whose blood-stained banner believers are welcomed into His army when they receive His grace and enter His service. Leaving the power of darkness to take their stand with Him against Satan begins a struggle against the enemy fought before the heavenly universe. For this spiritual warfare against tradition, superstition, and error, Christian soldiers are called to train earnestly and thoroughly.