The Promised Messiah - 5-Day Advent Reading PlanSample

“IMMANUEL”

Immanuel is a Hebrew word meaning “God with us,” and it is a fitting name for the promised son in Isaiah’s day and for Jesus, the One prophesied about in Isaiah. Because of the sin of mankind, a debt had to be paid in order to free humanity from living and dying in eternal separation from God. In order to pay this debt, God sent his Son Jesus to the earth to be born in desperately poor conditions, live a perfect life, die an undeserving death and rise again so that humans may one day be united with God in heaven.

When Isaiah wrote about a child named Immanuel, he was referring to Jesus, who was “God with us” to the people he encountered while he was on earth. God the Son willingly laid aside his position in heaven and descended to the earth, taking on human form in order to save his sinful image-bearers (Php 2:5 – 11). God continues to be Immanuel, “God with us,” through the indwelling presence of his Holy Spirit who fills believers, comforts them in a fallen world and empowers them to live holy lives.

Today's Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for coming to earth as a baby. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to earth to guide, comfort and empower us. Help me to follow his leading. Amen.