Names of Christ: Immanuel

Another name of Jesus that really matters to us at the Christmas season (but is there in our hearts and minds all year long) is Immanuel. It means “God with us.” I love that.

That’s the miracle, isn’t it? That the Creator of the universe is not just up there far away somewhere—He’s here. He’s with us. We don’t have to hope or beg or perform. He wants to be with us. Not just with us, but in us.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” That’s in Isaiah, in the Old Testament, before this [the birth of Jesus] ever happened.

And then it was revealed to Mary that her son would be called Immanuel. Who else do you know that has this name—a name translated “God with us”? I love this fact also—that He’s not just with us—with those who believe. Earlier in Isaiah, chapter six, Isaiah declares, “The whole earth is filled with his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3 NLT).

The truly remarkable thing is that God isn’t just with us, He’s for us. The Bible says it’s His good pleasure to give His children the keys to the kingdom (Matthew 16:19).

So, hang on to that promise: If God is for us therefore, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 NIV).

From the Old Testament to the New Testament to us today: Immanuel—God is with us!