“ … you shall call his name Jesus, …” (Matthew 1:21)

“ … they shall call his name Immanuel.” (Matthew 1:23) 

Matthew’s birth narrative assigns two names to Bethlehem’s latest new-born, “Jesus” and “Immanuel”.  A first name and a middle name?  A given name and a ‘nick-name’?  A proper name and a name added for parental use when the little fellow was in trouble?

“Jesus” was a Hebrew name meaning “salvation”, the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament Joshua or Yeshua.  In Jesus’ case, it described his earthly mission for he came not to liberate Israel from Rome but to liberate every human being from slavery and imprisonment to sin, a far worse taskmaster than Rome.

“Immanuel” was also a Hebrew term meaning “God with us.”  “Immanuel” is found in only three places in the Scriptures, first in Isaiah 7:14 in which the virgin conception of Jesus is forecast.  In Isaiah 8:8, God promises punishment upon his people Israel for their lack of faith.  The dreaded Assyrians would sweep down upon Israel like a flood “and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”  The third occurrence is in Matthew 1:23, the historic fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.

The flood-punishment scene in Isaiah 8, however, takes a significant turn.  Though foreigners would invade Israel, neither their words (threats) nor their actions would stand “because God is with us,” because the land is God’s land and the people are God’s people.  Verses 8 and 10 end the same way: “immanu-El”.

I cherish the name “Jesus” for I have personally received God’s gracious gift of forgiveness of my sins through Jesus.  He is my sin-bearer, my savior, my Yeshua.

I cherish the name “Immanuel” for God is with me, with his people.  David described that presence differently.  “Where can I go from your Spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, YOU!  If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, YOU!  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

To those who do not know God through Jesus, this every-where, always-there presence of God is frightening, as in the ancient verses of “The Hound of Heaven.”  To the child of God, there is no better feeling or place to be but in his VERY PRESENCE!

God is transcendent … out there, supreme, sovereign, independent, holy, infinite, immutable.  At Bethlehem, God became immanent … near, personal, human, sympathetic, here.  But God is both, out there and right here, transcendent and immanent, holy and wholly without sin, yet the sin-bearer of many.

Only one response is adequate, worthy, or necessary: “We/I have come to worship him!”