God with Us

 

By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Matthew 1:18-25

 

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).

(ESV)

 

This Christmas will go down in history as one of the most unusual ones in history.  Normally there would be office parties and celebrations in people’s homes.  Churches would be busy planning Christmas services that include live nativity scenes and even groups of people going to assisted living facilities to sing Christmas carols, bringing Christmas cheer to people in the facility.  With the challenges of Covid19, these activities are illegal in many communities or cancelled in the interest of safety.  While these traditions may not be occurring, one thing is certain God came on the first Christmas with one purpose, to visit and redeem His people in fulfillment of prophecy.  If we view Christmas through the eyes of Joseph, we discover a man who confronted the theology of Christmas, God coming to be with humanity and thankfully for us, was obedient to an angel of the Lord’s instructions.

 

The text of Matthew 1:18-25 describes the dilemma faced by Joseph when his betrothed wife Mary is discovered to be pregnant before the consummation of their marriage (Matthew 1:18).  Even though Mary and Joseph were only engaged, engagement during that time could only end with divorce.  However, Joseph loved Mary and did not want her put to shame through a public divorce so intended to put her away through a quiet divorce (Matthew 1:19). 

 

While this was Joseph’s plan, God had other plans for Joseph and sends an angel of the Lord to let Joseph know the truth about what was occurring with his betrothed wife.  The angel tells Joseph not to fear taking Mary as his wife for the child she carries is the one spoken of in Isaiah 7:14 for Mary is still a virgin with the child conceived in her coming from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20).  The angel goes on to tell Joseph that the child will be a son and to name him Jesus for the child will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  The child will also be called Immanuel meaning God with us (Matthew 1:22-23).  Joseph wakes up from his sleep and obeys what the angel commanded him with Mary giving birth to a son whom they named Jesus (Matthew 1:24-25). 

 

While Christmas this year lacks many of the traditions, it still means God became one of us and died for our sins.  The importance of the virgin birth of Christ and the immaculate conception through the Holy Spirit is God demonstrating His love for humanity by becoming human to face the temptations and struggles of a fallen world without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is the theology of Christmas and something no global crisis can change.    

 

Jesus has a unique identity as God in the flesh (John 1:14).  When one decides to follow Jesus, they are not just following a good man or prophet, they now have a personal relationship with God who became relatable to humanity by taking on human form.  God then does the unimaginable by taking the sins of humanity to the cross, fulfilling the death penalty for sin, and rising from the dead so humanity can have eternal life with God.  The role of the Church is declaring this truth, so people have the choice of eternal life with God or choosing to remain in condemnation (John 3:16-18; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8).  When the Church declares the Gospel, it must not present the Gospel message to add members to the Church or increasing contributions but as a life-changing message of God redeeming and saving humanity in fulfillment of prophecy, so they escape eternal condemnation and have eternal life (Luke 1:68-70). 

 

Everyone reading this posting has a choice of accepting the gift of salvation from sins through Christ or remaining in the condemnation of sin.  If you have never prayed to accept the gift of salvation, I invite you to pray with me now to choose eternal life,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

For those that just prayed, the baby Jesus, born on Christmas is more than just a baby and now your savior.  Even though this Christmas is unusual with the loss of many traditions, those that just prayed have something to celebrate.  I urge everyone to share this post with others, so they too have an opportunity to choose a relationship with Christ during this unusual Christmas season.  May God bless everyone reading this post.