Morning: The message, "Immanuel," focused on Matthew 1:22-23. In these verses, Matthew reveals the importance of Jesus. We can see four important things in these two verses.
First, we see that "all this" happened to fulfill Scripture. The "all this" refers to the previous 21 verses. Matthew is saying that the call of Abraham, the promise to David, the betrothal of Mary and Joseph, the supernatural conception of Jesus, all happened that God's Word would be fulfilled. Prophecy is not rooted in will of the prophet, but they speak what God has told them to say.
Second, there is a virgin with child. Before we dismiss this as a product of an unscientific, unsophisticated culture, we need to understand the need of a supernatural conception. The first promise of Christ's coming is in Genesis 3:15. God says woman shall bear a child that crushes the head of the serpent. Without a human father, Jesus would have been free of the taint of Adam. He would not have possessed a sin nature. The virgin birth is not a myth, but a historical event.
Third, she bears a son. David was promised a son to sit on his throne. The Son was the only one worthy to inherit the Father's kingdom. The Son lived to do his Father's will, and for his obedience he was given a name above every name.
Fourth, Mary's son, Jesus, would be called, Immanuel, "God with us." It isn't a name, but rather a title. It is the expression of the hope of God's people. They yearned, we still yearn, for the presence of God. Christ in his ministry demonstrated his divine nature. He was and is fully human, and fully God. He is the God-man. His presence in our lives brings forgiveness, healing, and acceptance.
This Christmas we need to remember that Jesus is God with us. God stepped down from glory and became one of us, so that we might be freed from sin and death. Christmas is a celebration of this gift.
Evening: Business meeting.
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