"God With Us"
During the holiday season many reflect on the birth of Christ. Biblically, there is no precedent to celebrate December 25 as the birth of Christ because the Scriptures are silent about Jesus’ date of birth. Nevertheless, the Scriptures are not silent regarding His birth, and Christians should rejoice always that a Savior was born.
The birth of Christ was predicted by Isaiah the prophet. Hundreds of years after the prophecy had been made, Jesus was born. Matthew, inspired writer of the New Testament, affirmed that the birth of Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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 1:22-23). Notice that His name would be called “Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” What a comforting thought—God with us!
It is very fitting that Jesus be referred to by a name that means “God with us” because Jesus Himself claimed to be deity, God in flesh. He said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30); and, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). Those who saw Jesus saw God (cf. John 20:28).
How can one be sure that Jesus’ claim is true? Just imagine for a moment that God had determined to come to earth and manifest Himself to us. How might He accomplish this? Since God, by definition, is all-powerful, the Creator of all things, it is reasonable to assume that if He were born into the world, His birth would not be a normal birth. Suppose He decided to be born of a virgin. Would a virgin birth not arrest our attention and indicate that the one who is born is, in fact, not an ordinary person?
This is precisely what happened roughly two thousand years ago when Jesus was born. His miraculous entrance into the world helps to establish His claim of being divine. A miraculous entrance into the world is exactly what we would expect, if God came to earth. We might also expect other miracles, wonders, and signs if God came to earth. Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, walked on water, calmed storms, and raised the dead. He not only claimed to be deity, but He also proved His claim.
It is true—Jesus was “God with us.” He is worthy of our trust, obedience, and life-long service. Follow him today!
