Title: Immanuel Jesus (Matthew 01:21-23)
Contents Like the song of the angels heard in the fields of Bethlehem in the land of Judea, I pray that this Christmas will bring infinite glory to God and peace be with us on earth and among the many saints who are attending this worship service today.
Because it is Christmas every year and the busy season of the end of the year, the meaning changes depending on the attitudes of the people who welcome it, sometimes it is distorted, and sometimes it is a day to feel deep emotion, joy, and grace. Years ago, in the small town of Somerville near Boston, USA, for Christmas, I made a model of the birth scene of the baby Jesus in front of the application. But, unexpectedly, a prankster stole the baby Jesus, and he was in great trouble. Jesus' father, mother, and even the magi who came from afar to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the shepherds who ran from the fields were still there. Even the sackcloth and manger were all intact. But there was no Jesus. No matter how bright the neon signs, the trees, the joyful music, and the gifts you entrusted to you, you cannot imagine a Christmas without Jesus. However, you may have to wonder if we are still enjoying Christmas without Jesus as we did in front of Somoville City Hall.
In today's text, the words that explain the birth of Jesus are recorded. But that Jesus is Emmanuel. Immanuel is a Hebrew word meaning 'God with us'. For that reason, Christmas is the day when we realize the meaning of Jesus who is with us, and when we understand the meaning of Jesus, we will have a true Christmas.
1. We must first consider the relationship between Israel and Jesus. There is a saying that a widow knows what a widow knows, and a widower knows what a widower knows. If you are in the same situation like this, you will not be able to understand, accept, or communicate with the other person without seeing them. That is why even the German writer Goethe said that only those who have tasted the sufferings of mine can know. You have to be in the same situation to know the situation.
It is unthinkable that God came into man to be with man. Even if you had come, we would not have been able to get along and communicate with you. He came to us, and His presence with us as a man was fulfilled. Therefore, Emmanuel, the God with us, became more urgent and evident in Jesus. He came, suffering and hungry just like us, crying out to God and weeping and weeping. Also, in the way of life that He shed blood and even died, we see ourselves.
Foxes have dens, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. In the Lord's need, we can find God who understands our need. As you weep in front of the tomb of Lazarus, you can see that I was alone and weeping in pain. Also, facing death and knowing that it is the will of God, he prayed, “Father, if it is possible, take this cup away from me.
In this way, in Jesus we can see us and we can see God in him at the same time, so that we can realize that he is the God who came into us and Emmanuel who dwells with us. When we come to know the deep and correct meaning of Immanuel found in this Jesus, the meaning of Christmas will be renewed.
2. What is the purpose of Immanuel for Jesus to come to us
In saying that God became a human being, we can find a tremendous demeaning that goes beyond the meaning of the king becoming a beggar. This is not a change of position or value in the same class. It is a completely unimaginable change in the mode of existence, a huge devaluation. Even under a democratic system based on the idea of equality where there is no one above and no one below, if the president shakes hands or shares a meal with some commoner, it becomes big news and is often introduced in newspapers and TV shows. can. If it is great to narrow the gap that arises from the difference in status among the same human beings, there is no need to say more about God becoming a human being.
But how is it not surprising that the cause of this humiliation is human love? In 1 John 4:10, here is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us and gave his Son as the propitiation for our sins. You can see what he said. Jesus' coming to this earth and becoming Immanuel is an expression of God's love. It means that He came to save people who are blind and deaf because of sin and turn away from the love of God and live a new life by saving people who do not know the way of death while going to death. That is why Jesus came to this earth as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He came so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Jesus, His becoming a man has no other purpose. You have to remember that it is only human love.
3. What happened to us as a result of God becoming Immanuel
When God became a man and came to live with us, a change in our status took place. You get more recognition when you go out with a friend who wears the captain's badge than when you walk around the unit with a friend who wears the so-called insignia. Even more so when playing with a star-studded general. In this way, depending on who you are with, that person is evaluated. As the old adults said, you can know a person by looking at their friends. You can judge a person by looking at the person you are with.
But now that God is with us, how can this not be different? In John 1:12, he said this about those who were with Jesus who became Immanuel. To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. In other words, by living with Jesus, the Son of God, we become the Son of God.
It's not usually a change, really. It's such a huge and unimaginable change. So 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. Judging from the words, 'a new creation' is emphasized. This is not to say that it has improved a little compared to the previous one, or that it evolved from the former, but that it is a completely new creation. Even if it is upgraded, it is not a normal upgrade, so the term 'new creature' is being used. So, in the past, human beings who were less than a particle and abandoned like a rolling stone have now become more precious than the world. In this way, God became a man to give meaning to our life, and to make this life more noble, Jesus died on the cross. How can we say that it is worthless? It has become a precious and noble life. That is why each day is meaningful and new to us, and each step in our life becomes valuable and rewarding. I am able to live a happy life that is positive, positive, and does not back down and only thinks about moving forward.
The birth of Jesus, who became Immanuel, who became a man and came to live with us, is our citizenship only in heaven. From there, we are waiting for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). It is a great blessing and grace that has enabled us to live with pride as citizens of the kingdom of heaven even though we live on the earth. Therefore, we hope that this Christmas will be a celebration of the meaning of the birth of Jesus, who became Immanuel, and vowing to live a life that is not ashamed of this great blessing and grace.