Names of God Series: Living Life with Emmanuel

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Getty Images

"See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated 'God is with us.'”

~Matthew 1:23

As we come to this next name of Jesus in our names of God series, we are reminded of the name given to Him at the announcement of His impending conception: the name "Immanuel", meaning "God with us".

That is precisely what Jesus was for Mary, for His disciples, and for those He came into contact with throughout the duration of his years of public ministry - God with them. He was God in the flesh, "God with skin on" as the phrase has been said. When Mary, John, a Pharisee, or a poor leper were in His presence, they were in the presence of God Himself. He was God with them.

The beautiful thing is that this can truly be said for us today, as well. Granted, we do not have Jesus in the flesh with us. We do not have the privilege of seeing Him face to face and doing life with Him in the same tangible, daily way the disciples did two thousand years ago. But that doesn't mean God isn't still with us today. It doesn't mean we can't live life with Immanuel, too. In fact, Jesus said it was actually better for us if He weren't here in the flesh anymore! 

He says in John 16:7, "Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you."

So, you see, we still have God with us! We still get to live life with Immanuel! Because we have the blessing of the Comforter, the very Holy Spirit of God Himself Who lives in us and with us every moment of every day, we never find ourselves truly alone, never have to walk through life feeling lonely or sad or rejected or deserted, because we are never - not once! - any of those things. Praise be to God for that! 

Reflection Questions:

1) What about "God with us" is a comforting phrase for you?

2) How does it change your life and how you view it to remember that the Holy Spirit of God is with you at every moment of every day?

3) Have you ever felt as if life would be a lot easier or better if we just had Jesus alive in the flesh with us still today? What does Jesus tell us about that idea?