“…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” Hebrews 13:5 AMPC
Immanuel.
What does it really mean…God with us?
The root of EL (God) in the Hebrew word ImmanuEL is “ayil” meaning RAM for a sacrifice as well as “pillar” and “door post.” Jesus IS Immanuel. Jesus is our one and only perfect sacrificial Ram who hung on the pillar and door post of the cross to give His life for ours.
The prophet Isaiah prophesied Jesus‘s birth around 700 years before it came to pass. When the Lord spoke through Isaiah (7:14), He said the virgin will conceive and bear a son naming him Immanuel.
When this prophecy was fulfilled (Matthew 1:20-23), the angel of the Lord told Joseph that not only was he to take Mary as his wife because her baby was Holy-Spirit-conceived, but that he was to name the baby Jesus (Savior!) BECAUSE He was “destined to give His life to save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 TPT).
Everything about His birth points to His death. He was the only baby born to die so that you through His death might live.
Immanuel. He not only left His throne, took on flesh, and entered into man’s rebellion (Mary’s name) to deliver us, but AS us, He became our sin, absorbed our punishment and finished our judgement to make us new in Him. Child of God, you are forgiven!
Through faith in His resurrection (your justification), you became the righteousness of God in Christ, allowing Him to become ONE with you; in union with the Father forever. In His perfect love and acceptance He lives to “sozo” (save, rescue, keep, deliver, heal, restore and prosper) you in every moment of your trust. He wants you rooted in your identity in Christ, resting in His grace and enjoying intimacy with Him.
In Genesis 22, Abraham brought his son Isaac up to Mount Moriah to give as a sacrifice to God. But Isaac would not be harmed because God‘s heart was to show Abraham that HE alone would provide the sacrifice by giving up His only Son, the Son whom He loved.
Yet, just as Abraham took action by faith (because he took God at His word and believed in His goodness and promise) he turned and saw a RAM with his horns caught in a thicket; a picture of King Jesus wrapped in the crown of thorns redeeming us from the curse of sin and death.
Abraham sacrificed the ram instead and Isaac was spared as the promise child who would ultimately bring forth The Seed of Salvation for the world.
“So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day, On the mount of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14 AMPC
Beloved, Jesus is your Battering Ram who not only broke through the womb of time and humanity to bring you home to His heart for eternity, but He has broken down the walls of guilt, shame and condemnation with His blood to conquer your heart. He breaks through your pain and suffering with His loving presence and power to bring forth hope, healing and Shalom peace.
Immanuel. God with you. Father for you. Christ in you. Holy Spirit upon you. The Christmas Ram; God in skin to be slain for your sin so you can find your rest in Him. The Manger King came to be your everything because on the Mount He already provided.
Love came for you!
“So when Jesus the Messiah came into the world he said, “Since your ultimate desire was not another animal sacrifice, you have clothed me with a body that I might offer myself instead!”
Hebrews 10:5 TPT
“Then He says, I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Hebrews 10: 17 TLV
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Luke 2:19 NIV
Merry Christmas!
Resting In His Love,
Annalee Reyes
*****
Jesus has been pursuing you relentlessly all your life. If you’ve never received Jesus Christ as your forgiveness, Lord and Savior, you can pray this simple prayer from your heart and become born again, a brand new creation and child of Daddy God, your loving Father:
“Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending your Son for me. I believe He came to earth to be born in the flesh to die my death on the cross. I believe His blood washed my sins away and completely cleansed me. I believe He redeemed me from every curse by becoming my curse and was raised from the dead because I was declared justified and righteous. Jesus, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I am now fully forgiven! I am a child of God, blessed, favored and incomprehensibly loved. In Jesus Name. Amen!”