On December 25th, much of the world remembers that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. When Jesus was born, He came to earth as a human being. Matthew 1:18-23 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” Jesus was born as a human child, but there should be no doubt that Jesus is also God. Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This prophesy is about Jesus; Jesus is also God. Jesus came to earth and became “God with us”. What is the significance of “God with us”? Let us look at some of the things that it can mean.
“God with us” means that it was not God at a distance in heaven, but He was in our world and in our condition. After God created man and woman and put them in the garden of Eden, it appears that there was a close, intimate relationship between the man and the woman and God. Genesis 3:8 “And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” After they sinned, God cast them out of the garden and the intimate relationship was lost. By bringing Jesus into the world, God sought to restore that close relationship.
“God with us” means that He lived like one of us on this earth. Hebrews 2:17-18 “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Jesus experienced pain just like we experience pain. Jesus experienced being tired and needing sleep just like we need sleep. Jesus experienced hunger like we get hungry. Jesus experienced sorrow and grief like we experience sorrow and grief. Jesus learned obedience to the Father as we must learn obedience. Jesus was tempted just like we are tempted, so he can understand what it is like to be tempted. In so many ways, Jesus experienced what we experience in life. He was God with us and understands what we go through in life because He lived on this earth. Since He experienced what we experience in life, He makes an excellent High Priest and mediator between us and the Father since He can sympathize with us and intercede for us with the Father.
“God with us” means that Jesus showed us what the Father is like. The life that Jesus lived demonstrates the characteristics of God the Father. John 14:5-10 “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’ Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.’” Jesus clearly said “if you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” Jesus bore witness to the truth and demonstrated righteousness; He refuted lies and unrighteousness. He demonstrated power by working great miracles and casting out evil spirits. He demonstrated patience, mercy, love, compassion, and forgiveness. He also demonstrated intolerance of hypocrisy and injustice. In so many ways, Jesus was “God with us” and showed us the Father.
But Jesus did not stay on the earth. On the night of His betrayal, He spoke to His apostles. John 16:5-7;13 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” Jesus did leave the earth and ascended into heaven. But He sent the Holy Spirit who we have with us to this day. Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” There are great benefits from having the Spirit within us. When we have the Spirit within, we still have “God with us”.
God chose to send Jesus as Immanuel, “God with us”. Today we have the Holy Spirit with us, “God with us”. Praise God that He has not left us alone but is with us.