EMMANUEL

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14

Comment: Immanuel in Hebrew and Emmanuel in Greek is one of the names and titles of Jesus Christ. It means God with us.

Now before Angel Gabriel visited Mary, a virgin to inform her of her conception and birth of Jesus Christ, she was already espoused to a man called Joseph of the house of David (Luke 1:27). So, it was a surprise for Joseph to see her pregnant, having not married or knew her. We are told in the scripture that “Joseph being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example was mindful to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. – Matthew 1:19-21; see also Luke 1:34,35.

We are made to understand in the Holy Bible that the scenerio Joseph experienced was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah the Prophet in Isaiah 7:14. As it is written: “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” – Matthew 1:22,23.

Truly God Almighty is with anyone who believes in Jesus and keeps his commandments.(John 14:21,23). In the process of doing these, attacks, troubles and persecutions will arise, but we should have the faith that God is with us. Read Isaiah 8:10.

Then St. Paul wrote, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.(Romans 8:31, 37). That is Emmanuel.

Prayer: O God our heavenly Father. Give Your children the willingness to know and do Thy will always so that we may continuously feel Your presence in our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Freedom Day