In two weeks many, many children are going to be scurrying to the Christmas tree to open gifts. Why do we give gifts? Well, the answer may vary, but I hope your answer goes something like this: “Because of the gift we have been given.”  The true meaning of Christmas is about a gift.  In fact, you might say that is ALL Christmas is about. We sing about it; we read about it in the scriptures; we talk about it; and we celebrate it. In light of THE gift, we give gifts. Listen to these words from Isaiah 7:14, spoken 700 years before Christ was born.  

The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Lord himself.  Not with the help of someone else. He will act unilaterally. And what is it he will do?  He will give.  He will give a present. He will give a gift.  The gift of all gifts.  And the gift he gives is a Person named Immanuel which means “God with us.”  God with us. God gave himself. What a glorious truth. Charles Spurgeon said, “Let us admire this truth.  Let us stand in reverent distance from it as Moses when he saw God in the bush stood a little back and took his shoes off, feeling that the place where he stood was holy ground.”  God (the one, true God of the universe) with us. Amazing. God wants to be with his people. And far from being a killjoy, God is the happiest Person that exists and gladly shares his happiness with all who receive him. In John 15:11, Jesus said, “These things I have said to you that my joy may be in you and your joy may be full.” 

Now, of course God was with his people before. God’s purpose all along to be “God with us and dwell among us!” In the garden God was with Adam and Eve, but then they sinned. And the most devastating effect was alienation from God for all their descendants  But even in the garden, God spoke of his purpose to restore all that was lost. So we get shadows of God’s intention with the tabernacle in the wilderness, temple in Jerusalem.  But these were pointing forward to the time when God himself would “tabernacle among us…”, which leads to our text this morning. 

This is a remarkable story. Imagine being Joseph. So he considers putting her away but quietly because he was a just man. Then an angel appears. Take Mary… what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit… call his name Jesus. Then verse 22 says “all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means God with us)”.  All of this took place to fulfill the coming of Immanuel, God with us. What does it mean that God is with us? People often say, sometimes more by rote habit than with real meaning, “I know God’s always with me…” 

Well, my aim this morning is very simple. I want you to be thrilled with Jesus Christ, and stir up a deep desire to know him as “Immanuel”, God with us, and to love him and live for him with all your heart!  So let’s look at Jesus as Immanuel in four steps: 1) Incarnation, 2) Mediation, 3) Abiding Presence, and 4) Future Advent.

Incarnation

Jesus is Immanuel in that he became like you and I in every way.  When Christ was born (actually conceived), God entered into his creation.  The eternal God became a man.  Now it is really important that we understand that he did not become less than God and when he came into the world, he was not less than fully man.  Listen to the way the Heidelberg Confession states it:

The eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took upon himself true human nature from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary through the working of the Holy Spirit.

So these three things must be held together which we see in Matthew 1: 1) A virgin will miraculously conceive and give birth to a son.  2) The baby conceived in her is “from the Holy Spirit”.  And 3) The baby is God. Immanuel - God with us!  This is the foundation of our faith and it is an astounding miracle.  Jesus wasn’t crucified by the Jewish religious elite because he claimed to be born of a virgin.  It was because he claimed as a man to be God.  They would have none of it.

So we need a new category in our mind for this: Jesus, the eternal Son of God remained what he always was from all eternity, namely God - that didn’t change; and became what he was not before, namely man.  Let’s face it, those of us who have been in church for a long time, run the risk of losing the wonder of this miracle. I’m convinced that one of the reasons why we run for constant entertainment is because we have lost a sense of wonder. Think of the glorious condescension of our God. We could imagine him coming in the likeness of sinless angels… or if there were a race of humans who had never sinned (there isn’t!), coming in their likeness. But the Son of God came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3). So, we just need a fresh look at the birth of Christ.

Consider this: When Jesus was born, as Mary held him in her arms, he according to his human nature was completely helpless and in need of nursing, carrying, diaper changing and at the same time, according to his divine nature was upholding the universe by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3). 

There are many ways throughout history people have tried to understand this. How can this be?  Maybe he became less than fully God or put his divine attributes aside.  But then he would be less than God. Of course, he was not outwardly impressive.  But even this is part of his glory for those who have faith to perceive.  And Paul makes clear in Colossians 2:9 that “the whole fullness of deity dwells (presently) bodily, [in Christ].”  He was not God-lite walking the Galilean countryside.  He was Immanuel - God with us.

Others have suggested that maybe he just looked like a man but really wasn’t (theophany).  But that won’t work either.  Hebrews 2:17 he “had to be made like us in every way…” It was necessary. He had to. So when Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem, taught in the synagogue, or was seen healing and eating with sinners, it was as a true man. The apostle John says, “we have heard him with our ears, seen him with our eyes, and touched him” (1 John 1:1).  He did not just have the appearance of a man.  He was and is the real deal! And yet he was anything but a mere man. He was, and is “the God man”, the long awaited Messiah, who has come to be with his people.

Hebrews 4 says this is so wonderful because we have a Savior in Christ who is sympathetic toward our weaknesses and temptations. In fact, it is put in the double negative (“We do not have a high priest who is unable”) but one who was made like us in every way, except one really important way - he was without sin! He truly has “come to earth to taste our sadness, He Whose glories knew no end…” Imagine that! A God who knows sorrow and grief, a God who has tasted our sadness, pain, weaknesses, and temptations first hand. Jesus has. He is Immanuel - God with us.

Mediation

Jesus is Immanuel in his sufficient work as the only Mediator between God and men.  A mediator represents two people who are alienated in order to bring them together. Jesus is the only mediator between God and mankind.  

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

And this is fundamentally the reason he came into the world. God becoming man was a means to an end. The incarnation was necessary for the cross, just as dinner prep is necessary for a family feast, but it is not the feast.  Without the prep you can’t have the feast, but the prep is not the feast itself.  At Christmas we cannot stop with the baby in the humble and simple manger; we must follow him to the rugged cross. Remember, the angel told Joseph what the baby was to be named: Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. So Ultimately, we understand that Jesus Christ was born to die. That is how Jesus himself understood his mission and purpose - “The Son of Man came… to serve and give my life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).

I love how 1 Timothy 2:5-6 connects for us the incarnation and the cross by telling us what Jesus accomplished as our Mediator. The man Christ Jesus, “gave himself as a ransom…” What’s a ransom? Something the price paid to redeem. Jesus gave himself as a ransom. He gave himself. Was the ransom fully paid? Yes! A thousand times yes! The final words from the cross according to the gospel of John are “it is finished!” “Paid in full”. The price for our redemption and the removal of our sins has been paid in full, and thus his work as Mediator is perfect. 

Our sin was a massive barrier keeping us from God and keeping us under his judgment.  But this barrier was not too big for Jesus Christ to overcome.  Our sins are great, O yes they are!  But the mighty love and mercy of Immanuel is greater! In his book A Bruised Reed, Richard Sibbes wrote long ago (remember this!), “There is more mercy in Christ, than sin in us.” Praise his name! He comes to us and removes the barrier of sin. And how decisively does he deal with our sin? Completely. His name is Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins”. Notice, he doesn’t try to save. He does not do the best he can. He does not merely make people savable. He takes our sins away! He saves! Immanuel is Jesus, “Yahweh saves”. 

Jesus, our Mediator lived a sinless life - the life God required that we could never give.  And then he died the death we deserve to die, and he did so as a perfect sacrifice. And both of these Jesus did for us as a Mediator,  in order to bring us to the God we were alienated from. He is Immanuel - God with us.

Abiding Presence

Jesus is Immanuel as he continues to be with us.  Rend Collective (Our God is still with us). He is with us not temporarily, but eternally. Our Lord, right before Jesus ascended to be with the Father he said, “And behold, I will be with you always (emphasis on always), to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

How is this so?  The night before his crucifixion, Jesus made it clear on the one hand that he would be leaving them, but on the other hand he would be with them in a deeper and more profound way. He said, “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you” (John 14:18). “My Father and I will make our home in [you].”  John 16:7 (quote). Jesus is really and truly “with us” now and always by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ and therefore Immanuel is with us and in us through the Holy Spirit. This is a game-changer.

I love what Elizabeth Elliot said, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.” He is with us ALWAYS. There is never a time or place in which we can say, “Well I don’t think he is with me now.”  No, that is unbelief!  Jesus Christ is Immanuel - God with us to the end of the age.  And then what about at the end of the age?  Well… [next point]  

Consummation

Jesus is Immanuel in future, conquering return, and will be with us forever. Do you ever think about the second coming of Jesus?  O, you should!  It would make you so much happier!  He is coming again for you.  This world that God entered 2,000 years ago at Christ’s first “Advent”, will be recreated and utterly transformed at Christ’s second “Advent”.  When he ascended into heaven, a couple angels said to his disciples looking on, “He will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”  He will come bodily as the God-man.  And the words of “Joy to the World” will be fully realized, “He comes to make his blessing flow as far as the curse is found”.

And we will be with the Lord and see his glory - not with the eyes of faith as we see now - but with full sight and be awestruck with joy and wonder forever!  Jesus expressed this as his great desire in in the words of his prayer in John 17:24, 

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

That prayer will be answered! We will be with him to see his uncreated glory. This is our future hope. Listen to Revelation 21:1-4:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

It’s so clear. Three times in verse 3: “God with us”.  Through Christ, God will dwell with us as Immanuel, unfiltered, forever. 

Receive Immanuel as a gift; as your greatest Treasure

Jesus is (not was!) Immanuel, God with us.  He became like us, lived and died for us to remove every barrier to God, remains with us through his Spirit, and is coming again for us. It’s clear - God wants to be with his people.  How do we know him as “with us”?  How do you know him as “God with you”?  Because not everyone can say this. He is not “with” everyone as Immanuel. John 1:12 is key. It says, “To all who receive him, who believe in his name, he has given the right to become children of God.” That’s the key. Receive him. Receive HIM as a gift; But a gift to be received cannot remain under the tree or on the shelf.  It must be opened, it must be embraced, it must be enjoyed.

And this is actually the key to the Christian life. Salvation is not primarily a “thing” we get from God. As if God gives something called salvation. No, God gives us himself… and salvation is found in Him. Romans 8:32 (of course). He is Immanuel. The goal is not to hanker people to try harder to do better and be better Christians. Don’t misunderstand me. There are times we need to be exhorted, even rebuked. Sometimes we need a hard word. But it could be that some truly misunderstand what it means to be a Christian. Richard Sibbes put it this way, “He became like us, Immanuel, God with us, that we might be like him, and partake of his divine nature. And Whom should we rather desire to be like than One so great, so gracious, so loving.”

Jesus is to be received as a gift; one you cannot pay for - it’s free! But you also cannot and dare not receive him dispassionately. A tip of the hat to Jesus will not do. If you would know Jesus as “God with us” in the fullest, most exhaustive sense we have unpacked today, you must “receive HIM” fully.  Not a divided, partial Jesus.  Not a Jesus who kinda adds a little comfort to your life, some good vibes.  Not an add-on Jesus.  Not Jesus as a garnishment on the plate of your designer life.  He won’t be that for you! Receive Jesus as Immanuel - God with us.  God with you.  Receive Jesus, Immanuel as a precious gift; an immeasurable treasure.  If you would have him and receive him as your greatest Treasure, you know what? He will be!  

He will be your great Treasure… This is the way in which you and I may live secure, with full assurance and at peace in the clown world we find ourselves in these days. This is how you and I may live full of joy and contentment while surrounded by vitriol and anger and envy. This is how we may live full of faithfulness and courage and hope - to the end. He is Immanuel, God with us!