“Call his name Immanuel”
Isaiah 7:14
As
believers in this gospel age, we do not esteem one day above another. We
observe no holy days, new moons, or sabbath days. To us, every day is alike.
Yet, as this season of the year suggest thoughts about the incarnation of the
Lord Jesus Christ, we will joyfully remember our blessed Redeemer's birth. I
want us to go down to Bethlehem today, and, in company with the wondering
shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see him who is born King of kings and Lord
of lords. I hope that you can by faith claim an interest in him, and can sing,
"Unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given" (Isa. 9:6)
WHO IS THIS BABE OF BETHLEHEM?
Jesus
is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend, Let
us adore him. His name is, Immanuel, God with us, God in our nature. That one
who was carried in Mary's womb for nine months is Mary's God. That one who came
forth from Mary's womb is Mary's Creator. It is true that his human body was
miraculously conceived in the womb of the virgin by the overshadowing power of
God the Holy Spirit. As to his human nature, our Lord was born as the seed of
woman. "Unto us a child is born." But do not ever think that
Mary is the mother of God. That notion of the papists is blasphemy. As to his
Divine nature, the prophet does not say that he was born, but rather, "Unto
us a Son is given". The Lord Jesus Christ is himself, God the eternal
Son. In the incarnation, God joined himself to and assumed our nature. He is as
truly God as though he were not man, and as truly man as though he were not
God. Our Redeemer is the God-man Mediator, Immanuel. The sweetest word in all
the English language is that golden name, -- Immanuel.
God has come in human flesh to redeem fallen man!
WHY DID THE LORD JESUS CHRIST COME TO THIS EARTH?
Our
Lord did not assume our nature to establish an earthly kingdom in which the
Jewish nation might rule the world. We are expressly told that he came to save
his people from their sins, according to the will of God. "Thou shalt
call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins"
(Matt. 1:21). "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I
am chief" (I Tim. 1:15). Immanuel is God come to save. The Son of God
assumed human nature at Bethlehem for the express purpose of redeeming his
people at Calvary, dying in our place under the wrath of God, as our
Substitute.
WHAT HAS THE LORD JESUS DONE?
He has
done exactly what he came here to do. He has redeemed his people. As a real man
the Son of God lived in this world for thirty-three years, perfectly fulfilling
the righteous requirements of God's holy law. He established a perfect
righteousness as the Representative of his people, bringing in an everlasting
righteousness, such as God is pleased to accept. Then, at the appointed time he
laid down his life as our Substitute at Calvary, satisfying the wrath and
justice of God against his people. By his righteous obedience to the law and
his sin-atoning sacrifice, the God-man, Immanuel, has accomplished his Father's
will and redeemed unto himself a people.
WHERE IS IMMANUEL TODAY?
That
very Babe who was born at Bethlehem, lived in the regions of Judea for
thirty-three years, and died at Calvary to redeem his people, is now seated
upon the throne of universal dominion. He is the King of Glory! With sovereign,
universal power, he is ruling this world to accomplish the salvation of those
very people whom he has redeemed. God has "given him power over all
flesh, that he should give eternal life unto as many as his Father has given
him" (John 17:2). "O come, let us adore him!" Immanuel, the
God-man, is our Savior and our King!
Grace
Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For Today Radio
Message #884
2734 Old Stanford
Road - Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net