God did not stay at a distance. He came to be with us.
“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 1:23 (KJV)
What does “Emmanuel” mean in Matthew 1:23?
Emmanuel is a Hebrew name meaning God with us. Matthew includes the meaning so that his readers would not miss it.
Going deeper
Matthew quotes the promise Isaiah gave to King Ahaz and says it has now come true. The child born to Mary is the sign that God is with His people. This is what Christmas is about. The Creator did not send a message and stay away. He entered our world, our humanity, and our struggles. The name is not a title of distance but of closeness.
There is a quiet frame around Matthew's Gospel. It begins with God with us, and it ends with Jesus saying, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. That promise holds every day in between. Whatever you are facing this week, you are not facing it alone. Take a moment to say the name aloud, Emmanuel, and let it answer any loneliness you feel. God with us is not only a Christmas idea. It is a daily reality for everyone who trusts Him.
Reflect
Where do you most need to remember that God is with you right now?
Pray
Emmanuel, God with us, thank You for coming near. Let me feel Your presence today, and let me never doubt that You are with me. In Jesus' name, amen.
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