Names of Jesus: Episode 3 Jesus, Immanuel

Hello, my walking friend! Are you ready for a brisk 10 minute walk? Are you ready to get your blood pumping and set your mind and heart to focus on Jesus? Awesome! 

Today is the third episode in the names of Jesus series. Today’s name may be one that is familiar to you – especially if you like to sing Christmas carols during the holidays. Today we will be meditating on Jesus, Immanuel. 

The verse for today’s walk is Matthew 1:23 (NIV):

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

I love the Christmas carol, O Come, O Come Immanuel… in fact, I’m singing it in my head right now! I bet you might be, too! 

The first verse of that hymn goes:

O come, O come, Immanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Before today’s verse, Matthew gives us the genealogy of Jesus. He concludes the chapter by telling us what happened prior to his birth. How Mary, though a virgin, conceived Jesus by supernatural means. How Joseph was still to marry her and he was the one told to name the baby Jesus. Then Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah in order to make it crystal clear that Jesus was the one being prophesied about. Jesus, born of a virgin named Mary, conceived supernaturally, is God with us – he is God with you, my friend. 

Take a little time now to meditate on Matthew 1:23.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? 

Here’s what Jesus revealed to me as I studied and meditated on this verse and his name, Immanuel:

This name for Jesus has caused many to stumble. It is so hard to understand – God coming in the flesh, being born a human baby, helpless and vulnerable. It is hard for us to think of our all-knowing, all-powerful creator in this way. But our creator is also love. 

It wasn’t easy for Jesus, God the son, to subject himself to the world in order to be Immanuel. But, to him, it was worth it. YOU were worth it. He did it so that his image bearers could see him, touch him, hear him. And then those who saw and knew him in the flesh could bear witness to us, those who didn’t.

He did all he could to reveal God the Father, his power and glory, so that those who walked with him when he was physically here would believe. And many did! And their testimonies have helped bring people, like you and me, to believe in Jesus. Now we can walk with Jesus in spirit. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, and he always keeps his promises. Just as Jesus was with his people over 2000 years ago, he is with us today. He is and will forever be, Immanuel, God with us. 

Let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus, Immanuel, and what that means to us. 

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,

When I am distracted, it is easy to forget that you are called Immanuel for a reason. When I read your word and read about all you did when you walked the earth, pierce my heart to remember that you are here now, right with me. Help this knowledge convict me to live a life that brings you glory. Help me be a true image bearer, one whose life is a testimony for you. I need your help to show your love and power and glory to those I have influence over. As I walk today, help me know, really know, that you are walking with me, as you do every minute of every day. I love you, Jesus, Immanuel, and I am so thankful that you walk with me always. Amen.  

Here are some questions for you to consider.

Have you ever had a day go by and realized you never thought about Jesus at all that day? Take some time to think about how that made you feel. 

What do you think it must have been like for Mary and Joseph when they heard they would be responsible for Immanuel? Take a little time to put yourself in their place and think how you would feel. 

What can you do to remind yourself that Jesus is with you always? Take some time now to think of some ways. 

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time:

Matthew 1:23

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Well done, friend! A solid 10 minute walk and 10 minutes of meditating on Jesus, Immanuel. Thank you for taking the time to walk with me, my friend. But more importantly, you walked with Jesus! I know he is going to bless you body, mind, and soul for the time you are spending with him.  Did you know there is a devotional prayer journal companion for this podcast series? It is the October edition and the book has 21 days of scriptures, devotions, prayers, the questions to consider with space for you to journal after your walk! You can find the book and more Walk with Jesus resources, at WalkWithJesusDevotional.com.

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will consider another name of Jesus – Jesus the Morningstar. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.