“All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the [m]prophet [Isaiah]: 23“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL”–which, when translated, means, “GOD WITH US.” Matthew 1:22-23 AMP
As we remember the story of the birth of our Savior, one important fact shines through; God with us. Because of the fall of man from the presence of God in the garden of Eden, separation existed between God and man. It wasn’t that God was remaining distant, it was man who would acknowledge his sinful condition. We read in the in the book of Isaiah,
“But your wickedness has separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 AMP
Like his father before him, man tried everything to hide the fact that he was a sinful creature! The first thing Adam did was to sow together fig leaves to cover his nakedness. It was man’s attempt to hide the reality of his situation. And so the story continued as the religious leaders created a system of self-righteousness. It was man’s attempt once again to cover the reality of his lost condition. But things were about to change as God Himself took on the form of a man and became obedient unto death! God with us! How could the God of the universe humble Himself in such a way? The reason is clear,
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 AMP
It was for loves sake that He came to do what no man could ever accomplish, redemption! Man was so lost in his sin that he could not see the way out. Hosea records a great promise given to fallen man.
““I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.” Hosea 13:14 NKJV
And again, in the book of Isaiah,
“He will swallow up death [and abolish it] for all time. And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, And He will take away the disgrace of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.” Isiah 25:8 AMP
God with us, the hope of glory reveled to a sinful creation! God has never given up on His creation. Man may have raised his fist in rebellion, but the love of God covers a multitude of sins! We are told that for the joy set before Him He endured the cross on our behalf. There is a wonderful verse in Hebrews that explains His actions.
“Therefore, since [these His] children share in flesh and blood [the physical nature of mankind], He Himself in a similar manner also shared in the same [physical nature, but without sin], so that through [experiencing] death He might make powerless (ineffective, impotent) him who had the power of death—that is, the devil—” Hebrews 2:14 AMP
The words of John the Baptist rang clear that day when he saw Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!” Is God with you today? Have you taken time to listen to the still small voice of His love? God with us, a treasure beyond compare as we now enjoy His presence with us and in because of the great gift of His Son. As we celebrate the season let us not forget that He is the greatest reason for the season! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken