Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
We use the word "with" in many favorable ways. "Will you go with me?" Whether it's the store, a football game, a party, or much bigger than all of that... through life, it still represents the partnership, shared space, journeying together or alongside that makes it so appealing.
Then the angel of the Lord comes along and says to Joseph - and by extension to all of us - "they will call him Immanuel - which means God with us."
Not because we're good...or deserve it...or only when we are at worship...or when you're giving...or when you're nice, polite, etc...
Simply, I'll be WITH you.
God sent Prophets, Kings, Apostles, Poets, even Farmers and Fishermen...all proclaimed messages, and some did miracles...but none of that is equivalent to, or nearly as needed, as "Immanuel...with you".
From Heaven He Came
From Heaven He came, O Praise His Name,
The Christ who took my shame.
King of all was He, yet He chose to be
But a man like me
So He came.
The Son of God, chose earth's cold sod
Left heaven's splendor rare.
And with naught to gain, Jesus stooped to claim
Man's despair.
He emptied Himself of all but love,
And came to live here with us.
He stepped from heaven's home
To ascend a cross-throne; wear a thorn-crown
And all for me.
(Words by Jack Hayford, with some changes by me)
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