12-27-2018

Good Morning All,

      Matthew 1:23; “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)”

    Why didn’t they name him Joseph?  He was to be the firstborn son and often times you name this first child after the father or the grandfather.  Yet in the case of Jesus; it was not to be.  This is because the various names and titles which are prophesied having significance and meaning.  “Jesus” translates to “God saves” or “God saves his people”.  The name “Immanuel” has a very important meaning; it is “God with us”.  It reminds the Jews of a better or at least more faithful time.     

    As Joseph dreamed one night long ago, the Holy Spirit came to him and told Joseph that one of the names that Jesus would be known as was Immanuel.  Immanuel is probably not at the top of the list for many families today but at this time in Israel, this name had great significance.  This had significance which went all the way back to the Exodus.

    As the Israelites left Egypt, they were led by a visible presence of God.  The Israelites saw a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  When they set up the tabernacle, God’s actual presence was in the Holy of Holies.  God was in the very midst of his people as the journeyed through the wilderness.  In fact, the word “tabernacle” means to make camp with or to stay with.  So the next time you go to the lake or river, you are “tabernacling” at the lake, not camping.  You are making your residence with the person who is there.  It is a close relationship that you form with those whom you tabernacle with.

    The Israelites felt safe as long as they could see and sense this presence of God.  But through the years, they lost this sense or this very presence.  They had lost the Ark of the Covenant; they had lost Solomon’s Temple; they had lost most of the land as well.  They longed for the day when the Messiah would come and restore the kingdom, rebuild the Temple, bring peace and cause “Immanuel” (God is with us).  They longed for that day when everything would be put right.

    Fortunately for us, we don’t have to wait for all those conditions to be met.  We already have “Immanuel” through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus and then through the power of Baptism; we have that communion with Christ.  His spirit lives within us, dwelling in our hearts and in our lives, tabernacling at our table and in our homes.  God is with us every step of the way, through every storm or struggle, through the happy times or sad; we have Immanuel for God is truly with us.

 Gracious Father, you come to us through your Word and sacraments.  You strengthen us, preserve us and protect from the devil and his ways.  Lead us; encourage us and use us to further your holy kingdom.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen   

 God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret