Six days before Christmas! In 931 B.C., the kingdom of Israel went into civil war because the Israelites were not following God. There was the Southern Kingdom, Judah, and the Northern Kingdom, Israel. At this time, God was working in both kingdoms through the prophets, but the Northern Kingdom was more wicked than the Southern Kingdom. During the reign of King Ahaz in the Southern Kingdom, he was very worried because the Northern Kingdom and its ally, the King of Syria, were preparing to attack and invade the Southern Kingdom. God sent the Prophet Isaiah to give King Ahaz a sign that the Northern Kingdom and the Syrian Kingdom would fail to attack the Southern Kingdom. And here's the sign, "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us')(Isaiah 7:14)." This sign had a double fulfillment: near and far fulfillment. The near fulfillment of this sign was when a child was born during the period of King Ahaz. The far fulfillment of this sign was when Jesus was born hundreds of years later and called Him Emmanuel.
The far fulfillment of the sign that was given to King Ahaz in the Southern Kingdom spoke of the birth of our Lord Jesus. When Jesus was born, God came into our world as a fully human and fully God. The name Emmanuel signifies that God is with us. In the Old Testament, when the Israelites and the God-fearing people wanted to be close to God, they had to go to the Tabernacle or the temple. However, when Jesus was born, God came to be close to us. Instead of us going to Him, He came to be with us. During this Christmas time, let us remember that the reason Jesus was born on Christmas day is for Him to be with us. He came as our Savior and Lord. Our God wants to be near us because He loves us. Despite our rebellions and sins, God still wants to be with us. He did not come to tolerate sins in our lives, but he came to forgive our sins and change us to be holy and acceptable to Him. Christmas is more than gift presence and being with our families and friends; it is more about God coming to be with us so that we can enjoy His presence forever.
As we gather with our families and friends this Christmas, let us spend a moment to thank God for coming to this world and being with us to give us eternal hope and life.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why did Jesus come to be with us? How should we celebrate Christmas knowing that He came to be with us? What is God showing me through today's devotion?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to this world to be with us despite our sins and rebellion. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to be with us to give us eternal hope and life. Please help me not to forget the reason I celebrate Christmas in spite of the busy season. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Comments