Emmanuel

And she shall bring forth a son,
and you shall call his name Jesus
for he shall save his people from their sins.
...Behold, a virgin shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is,
God with us.
Matthew 1:21, 23

A child was born two thousand years ago and placed in a manger (Luke 2:7). He grew up in a despised city (John 1:46), had no outward beauty (Isa. 53:2), was despised and rejected by those around Him (Isa. 53:3), and was put to death as a common criminal (Matt. 27:38). Yet, this One has a name which is above every name (Phil. 2:9). The name God gave this child was Jesus. He is the salvation of God. He is Jehovah the Savior.

Why did God give a savior?

Man was created by God to be with God (Gen. 1:26; 3:8) and to contain His life, represented by the tree of life (Gen. 3:22). Man sinned, and took in the element of sin and death (Rom. 5:12) and could no longer live in God's presence. Man needs a Savior, One who could pay the price of death, to open the way to the tree of life. God became the man Jesus (John 1:1, 14). Man even called him Emmanuel, God with us. This God-man died for us (Rom. 5:8) that we might have right to the tree of life (Rev. 22:14). Jesus said He is the life (John 14:6). Through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins (Acts 10:43) and become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).

Open your heart to this Jesus. Pour out your sorrows on Him and confess your sins to Him and He will give you life abundantly (John 10:10).

Though Christ a thousand times
In Bethlehem be born,
If He's not born in thee
Thy soul is still forlorn.

What e'er thou lovest, Man,
That too become thou must;
God, if thou lovest God,
Dust, if thou lovest dust.

by Norman J Minahan