Title Come, Come/Matthew 1:18-23
Contents Come, Immanuel, / Matthew 1:18-23
Key Verse: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and he shall call his name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us’” (verse 23).
Verse: Today's text tells the truth that Jesus was born of a virgin. We believe in the truthfulness of the Bible. So we can boldly say that Jesus was born of a virgin by the conception of the Holy Spirit. It's our belief. Let's look at the words of Isaiah 7:14. This event takes place in the 8th century B.C.E. This is the story of when the northern kingdom of Israel and Syria formed an alliance and invaded the southern kingdom of Judah. Ahaz, king of the southern kingdom of Judah, tried to depend on the Assyrian Empire instead of relying on God alone. By borrowing the power of the Assyrian Empire, they tried to block the attack of the Allied Forces of the Northern Kingdom and the King of Syria. In this historical context, Isaiah prophesied. Among the prophecies, he said, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and he shall call his name Immanuel.” These words said to King Ahaz, 'Rely on God alone. Do not rely on Assyria or any other great power. He warned, “If you depend on another power, you will be invaded by that power.” It was Emmanuel's prophecy to rely only on God. When God is with us, we can escape from all tribulation and danger.
As you read the Bible, the words “God is with you” keep appearing in the story of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph in Genesis. The same is true for Joshua, Saul, and David, as well as the prophet Isaiah and other prophets.
I think that the present, which is approaching Christmas in 2003, is no different from when the words of Isaiah 7:14 were proclaimed 2000 years ago or 2700-2800 years ago.
We must depend only on God. If you rely on the power of other great powers and capital, or other political power, you may be attacked by that power. It is like relying on Assyria and then being invaded by Assyria. We are facing a more difficult Christmas than ever. Politically, economically and socially we are experiencing a lot of confusion and pain. However, we believe that God will change our reality when we depend only on God and pray with the heart of ‘Come, Emmanuel.’ When we depend only on God, our lives change. In that sense, I pray, “Come, Emmanuel,” and earnestly hope that you and I will celebrate Christmas.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please come to this country, this people, our society, and this region. In the family of God's people, in the relationship between parents and children, in the wife and husband, in the relationship of relatives, in the relationship between friends, Emmanuel God, come. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Lord's Prayer