Jesus... God in the Flesh
For six months, we've been exploring the different names of Jesus throughout the New Testament, each one revealing how He shows up in our lives, each one deepening our relationship with Him.
But this Christmas, we come to what I believe is the foundation of every other name we've studied: Immanuel, God with us.
Seven hundred years before the first Christmas, before angels appeared to shepherds, before Mary and Joseph found their way to Bethlehem, Isaiah prophesied: "Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she shall call his name Immanuel."
God Himself would take on flesh and blood so we could have a personal relationship with Him.
But Isaiah didn't stop there. In chapter 9, he gave us an even greater description of how this child would personally impact our individual lives: "His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
But this Christmas, we come to what I believe is the foundation of every other name we've studied: Immanuel, God with us.
Seven hundred years before the first Christmas, before angels appeared to shepherds, before Mary and Joseph found their way to Bethlehem, Isaiah prophesied: "Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she shall call his name Immanuel."
God Himself would take on flesh and blood so we could have a personal relationship with Him.
But Isaiah didn't stop there. In chapter 9, he gave us an even greater description of how this child would personally impact our individual lives: "His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
Wonderful Counselor: Christ's Wisdom and Guidance
Ever been at a crossroads moment? Faith stretched, confused, mind swirling, not knowing what decision to make?
Isaiah announces that the Messiah will be our Wonderful Counselor and that word "wonderful" in Hebrew means something only God can do.
This matters because God's thoughts are above our thoughts, His ways above our ways. We need supernatural ability to know His plans for our lives. The biggest problem I face isn't the circumstances, it's my own natural understanding.
When I try to figure it out on my own, when I try to put God in some human reasoning box, frustration follows.
The enemy of trust is doubt. And doubt spreads like a disease, eroding our faith, making us assume things that aren't true.
We doubt because we trust in things other than God: what we can control, predict, explain. No wonder we live in anxiety.
Here's what I've learned: the worst thing I could ever receive are some things I've asked God to give me. God doesn't answer because He's trying to protect me from myself. There's a way that seems right to a man, but its end is death.
Jesus doesn't merely possess wisdom. He IS wisdom. When you walk with Him, God's wisdom is revealed in your life in real time.
Isaiah announces that the Messiah will be our Wonderful Counselor and that word "wonderful" in Hebrew means something only God can do.
This matters because God's thoughts are above our thoughts, His ways above our ways. We need supernatural ability to know His plans for our lives. The biggest problem I face isn't the circumstances, it's my own natural understanding.
When I try to figure it out on my own, when I try to put God in some human reasoning box, frustration follows.
The enemy of trust is doubt. And doubt spreads like a disease, eroding our faith, making us assume things that aren't true.
We doubt because we trust in things other than God: what we can control, predict, explain. No wonder we live in anxiety.
Here's what I've learned: the worst thing I could ever receive are some things I've asked God to give me. God doesn't answer because He's trying to protect me from myself. There's a way that seems right to a man, but its end is death.
Jesus doesn't merely possess wisdom. He IS wisdom. When you walk with Him, God's wisdom is revealed in your life in real time.
Mighty God: Christ's Deity and Power
Jesus is not a lesser form of God. He's not God's assistant or representative. Jesus IS God in the flesh. The whole fullness of deity dwells in Him bodily.
Remember when the disciples were in the boat with Jesus during the storm? They knew it was Jesus who got in the boat with them. They knew it was Him sleeping on the cushion. But they'd never been in a position where they needed to experience the power of God until that moment.
After Jesus calmed the storm, they looked at each other and asked, "Who is this that even the wind and sea obey Him?" They knew Jesus, but they'd never experienced this level of His power.
You never need to know Jesus as healer until you're sick. You never need Him as deliverer until you're in bondage. You never need Him as provider until you face a need you can't fulfill.
And at that very moment when you're without options, the Mighty God shows up and reveals another level of relationship you'd never experienced before.
There are moments when encouragement isn't enough. When advice isn't enough. When strategy isn't enough. We need the power of God; that effective strength, that capacity to accomplish what's intended.
When God's power is revealed, transformation happens. Freedom breaks forth. Doors open. Provision comes.
Remember when the disciples were in the boat with Jesus during the storm? They knew it was Jesus who got in the boat with them. They knew it was Him sleeping on the cushion. But they'd never been in a position where they needed to experience the power of God until that moment.
After Jesus calmed the storm, they looked at each other and asked, "Who is this that even the wind and sea obey Him?" They knew Jesus, but they'd never experienced this level of His power.
You never need to know Jesus as healer until you're sick. You never need Him as deliverer until you're in bondage. You never need Him as provider until you face a need you can't fulfill.
And at that very moment when you're without options, the Mighty God shows up and reveals another level of relationship you'd never experienced before.
There are moments when encouragement isn't enough. When advice isn't enough. When strategy isn't enough. We need the power of God; that effective strength, that capacity to accomplish what's intended.
When God's power is revealed, transformation happens. Freedom breaks forth. Doors open. Provision comes.
Everlasting Father: Christ's Eternal Care and Faithfulness
The manger wasn't the beginning of Jesus' existence, it was the revelation of Jesus. He existed in eternity before Genesis 1:1. When He took on human form, He was representing and relating to us as a father relates to his children.
Jesus is the source of life. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. He knows your name, your needs, your wounds, your struggles. And He cares for you as a father cares for his children.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never leave you or forsake you.
His presence in your life doesn't depend on your behavior, what you deserve, or making sure it all works out. It's a promise of His character.
For those who've had disappointing or abusive earthly fathers, understand this: Jesus as Father is not the representation of your earthly father, He's the perfection of your earthly father. He takes wounds and heals them. He brings peace to trauma.
Jesus is the source of life. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. He knows your name, your needs, your wounds, your struggles. And He cares for you as a father cares for his children.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never leave you or forsake you.
His presence in your life doesn't depend on your behavior, what you deserve, or making sure it all works out. It's a promise of His character.
For those who've had disappointing or abusive earthly fathers, understand this: Jesus as Father is not the representation of your earthly father, He's the perfection of your earthly father. He takes wounds and heals them. He brings peace to trauma.
Prince of Peace: Christ Our Reconciliation and Rest
Peace is not something you find. Peace is something you receive. It's an attribute of relationship with God, not a product or attitude.
First, we need peace WITH God; our relationship restored through Jesus' sacrifice. Then we experience the peace OF God; the answer to anxiety, worry, fear.
Worldly peace depends on circumstances.
Christ's peace depends on His presence living through us.
First, we need peace WITH God; our relationship restored through Jesus' sacrifice. Then we experience the peace OF God; the answer to anxiety, worry, fear.
Worldly peace depends on circumstances.
Christ's peace depends on His presence living through us.
Four Invitations
This Christmas, Jesus extends four invitations:
This isn't just a historical event or holiday tradition. We're celebrating a child born to invite us into relationship with Him. And He's still inviting us today.
So, I encourage you to surrender.
Receive the gift.
Know Him in the depths of who He is.
That's the foundation of every name: God with us.
- Wisdom for the confused
- Power for the weak
- Care for the broken
- Peace for the restless
This isn't just a historical event or holiday tradition. We're celebrating a child born to invite us into relationship with Him. And He's still inviting us today.
So, I encourage you to surrender.
Receive the gift.
Know Him in the depths of who He is.
That's the foundation of every name: God with us.
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