Title: Immanuel/Matthew 1: 18-25
Contents
There is a theologian named 'Nigren'. This person wrote a book called 'Agape and Eros', and with this book, he entered the world's top ten theologians. If you look at the contents, it is said that all religions in this world can be divided into two in their structure.
One is the religion of Eros. This religion is a religion in which man strives to reach God, in which man must constantly practice monasticism, asceticism, and do good works to gain access to God. This religion is called the religion of Eros.
Another is the religion of Agape. This religion is a religion in which God descends to humans to meet humans. Humans only need to receive God, believe in it, and follow Him. This religion is called Agape religion.
What kind of religion is our Christianity?
It is the ‘religion of Agape’. God has come to find us. God Himself became a man and came to save us humans. This fact is referred to in theological terms as 'Incarnation', and the word that confirms this is today's text.
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and he shall call his name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Hallelujah.
God came to this earth with a human body to be with us. This day is Christmas Day. What a great news this is, the angels are going all over the place to proclaim this. "Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will come to all the people. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:10,14).
Where is that?
Human history has not been able to ignore this fact. So I decided to make this day the origin of human history. So, with the birth of Jesus as the starting point, BC (BC) and AD (AD) were used as the starting point, and the word history was written as His+Story=History (= the story about him, that is, Jesus).
Christmas is the day of Immanuel, when God came to this earth to be with us.
God is with us now and forever. Immanuel! Once upon a time, Moses (Israel's greatest leader) was tending his father-in-law's sheep at the foot of Mount Horeb. But a bush catches fire. Of course, Moses judged that there was a wildfire. However, the voice of God was heard in the fire. “Moses, go immediately to Egypt and save my people.” But Moses was afraid and trembling. So I complain to God. “God, I am foolish, dull, and old. I do not know how to speak, and I do not have courage. What does God say about this? "Do not be afraid. I will be with you." Amen. What does this mean? Emmanuel, it is the word that God is with you.
Let's look at David. How was the little boy able to fight against the giant general Goliath that all Israel feared? He believed that as long as Emmanuel, God was with him, he would surely win. David confronts Goliath with this famous saying: "You come to me with a sword and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts." Indeed, Emmanuel David, who is with God, defeated Goliath.
Not only that. Daniel was thrown into the lions' den when he laid down his life to serve only God, but God was with him and closed the lion's mouth. Daniel's three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were also thrown into the burning furnace to serve God. But there was one other person walking in the fire besides these three friends. Who was that fourth person? The Lord Emmanuel was with them and kept them from breaking even a single hair of their head.
So the prophet Isaiah proclaims: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus confirmed Immanuel with these words of the covenant. "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20)." Therefore, we can believe that Jesus came to this earth as the God of Immanuel, and He is with us forever as the God of Immanuel. Amen.
I sincerely hope that the Lord Emmanuel may overflow with love and peace to you and your family on Christmas this year as well. Amen.