Jesus, Name Above All NamesSample

Immanuel

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel (which means, God with us).“ (Matthew 1:23)

Joseph, Mary's fiancé, had a hard time believing at first that his future wife had become pregnant without his involvement. (Matthew 1:18-25) But in a dream, an angel of God confirmed that what Mary had told him was true. Joseph was also instructed to name the Son he would raise with Mary, Jesus (Matthew 1:21). Through the education he had received as a Jewish boy, Joseph was familiar with the history of his people.

The words with which the angel confirmed that the Child Mary was carrying was truly God-given must also have been familiar to him. The angel quoted from the writings of the prophet Isaiah, “The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel means “God with us”. God is not a God who, in His greatness and majesty, remains at a distance. In Jesus, God showed and still shows that He wants to be with us. So near that He came to save us through Jesus and wants to live in us through His Spirit. Can you imagine how amazed Joseph must have been that God involved him in Jesus' life on earth?

Jesus Immanuel, thank You that You want to be so close to me and will never let go of the good work You started in my life.