Show notes
Abundant Life Episode 28In this episode Saso and Ben discuss a name given to Jesus, Immanuel. Key VerseMatthew 1:23 – Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”This was the angel speaking to Mary, giving her insight to God’s plan to save His people from their sin. I can’t imagine what was going through Mary’s mind. Was she thinking, why me? Who am I to have this happen? How can this be? I bet there were a million questions racing through her mind, yet she likely didn’t even see the big picture.If we look back to the old testament, we see a prophecy that was given during the rain of Ahaz, king of Judah, an evil King. This prophecy was given as a sign to Ahaz, but it was actually a prophecy of the coming Messiah that we see fulfilled in Matthew chapter 1 which would be about 700 years later.Isaiah Immanuel – is a masculine Hebrew name meaning “God with us” or “God is with us.”What about the name Jesus vs. Immanuel?The name Jesus, given to Joseph in Matthew Matthew Luke Evidence for God “with us” in the fleshWe see evidence of this truth in the book of 1 Timothy that Jesus was God in the flesh. This is a very gospel rich verse as well.1 Timothy John also gives testimony of Jesus, God in the flesh, dwelling among us.John Colossians He dwelt among us and experienced life as a human beingPhilippians Jesus lowered Himself to become man yet He did not lay aside His deity. He was 100% man and 100% God.It is truly amazing and also comforting that the God of the universe was tempted just like we are, experienced loss, and pain and sadness just like us and He did not sin as a result. We fail on a daily basis, and it’s just more plain to see that we need Jesus and can’t live a righteous life without him. Just like it talks about in John 15, we can do nothing unless we abide in the vine, which was our last podcast episode.Hebrews Why did Jesus come to be with us?It’s quite simple. We are sinners on our way to eternity apart from God. Out of great love for a people who unlovely, Jesus stepped in to save us from eternal damnation.In Matthew we see the angel speaking to Joseph stating the purpose for Jesus.Matthew In the book of Luke Jesus testifies of Himself and His mission.Luke This is what makes the name it claim it movement false. Jesus didn’t come to make your dreams come true. He came to rescue you from yourself. He came to give you new life, eternal life which is worth more than new cars, big houses, jewelry, and money.Why did Jesus come in the flesh?Couldn’t Jesus just speak forgiveness and forgive all humanity? Perhaps, but God is a God of order, and integrity and truth. He can’t go against His nature. We read in Hebrews that the only way sins can be forgiven is by the shedding of blood or a blood sacrifice.Hebrews Not just any sacrifice, the sacrifice must be without spot or blemish just as the lamb sacrifices in the old testament.Hebrews Jesus was the perfect sacrifice that fulfilled all the old testament sacrifices and covered any future sacrifice that would be necessary, literally the perfect sacrifice.Hebrews Why did God send Jesus, His only Son?Psalm In other words, God owns everything. Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are poor in comparison because God owns all. But what could God give that would actually cost Him something? His Son is the only thing of value or worth, everything on this Earth including the Earth could be spoken into existence by God, but sending His Son was ultimately a sacrifice and He did it because He loves us.Immanuel by Thomas Terry of Beautiful EulogyLift up your eyes and see the riches of the all-sufficient King seated on His throne in glorySee His scepter that stretches the expanse of unmeasured spaceHear Him who holds all things together declare, “all things are mine without exception”See the curiosity of the cosmos as Christ condescends to His most cherished creaturesSee the astonishment of angels as the Almighty advances towards EarthSee the humility of the pre-existent King born of a virgin birthThe Infinite becomes infant, the Maker becomes manThe Divine becomes despised, and the Christ is crucifiedThe Author of all creation cursed upon the tree that He Himself spoke into beingAnd the Lord of life was laid in the tomb, but the grave could not contain Him and so the Son of Man was raised to lifeBut why?To draw near, to pierce our greatest fearTo shed satisfying blood on our behalfTo give back the life we were meant to haveTo enjoy, to hear, to adore, to tasteAnd to look with peace upon our Savior’s faceAnd to embrace Him with an undying faithTo interpose all His worthiness into usAnd serve the most unworthy and undeservingHe is our God and we are mere men made by HimWe are not like Him, but He loves us and moves among usThe great Uncreated and the created, no longer separatedHe is Immanuel, God with usClosing ThoughtsDo you have a relationship with Jesus?Maybe you don’t and would like to know more. Maybe you are ready to surrender and trust Jesus as your savior. If this is the case, all you simply need to do is pray. It’s not the prayer that saves you. It’s what you believe.Do you believe that you are a sinner? Do you believe that God sent Jesus to this Earth, born of a virgin, lived life as a human but yet fully God, died for your sin and was raised on the third day ascending to heaven and seated at the right hand of God?If you believe this, tell God this. Remember He sees your thoughts and your heart. He knows.Maybe you do, and you’ve drifted. Jesus did not come to condemn but to save and like a good Father He is waiting to embrace you. We encourage you to repent and come back to the fold.Resources:Abundant LifeChristian Podcast CommunityThe Chosen ChristmasShow me the Father
