The heading above Matthew 1:18-25 reads: “The Birth of Jesus Christ.” These verses do not actually record Christ’s birth. None of the nativity passages do. The text records the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus. How he was born confirms who he is. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and adopted by Joseph. Matthew 1:1-17 presents Jesus as a part of the royal line of David, qualifying him to be the promised Messiah-King. This is why Matthew’s birth narrative begins with Joseph. 

Joseph was betrothed to a virgin named Mary. Before their marriage was consummated, Mary became pregnant – not by Joseph. Joseph could have pressed charges against Mary for adultery. Being a just man, Joseph planned to divorce her privately. Matthew 1:20-21 says, “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” 

Our text is not technically a part of this story. It is Matthew’s commentary on it. Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph’s dilemma, and the angel’s announcement were all a part of the unfolding of the drama of redemption. 

Matthew 1:22-23 says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” This is the first of ten fulfillment quotations in Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14, claiming that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of a virgin-born son. That supernaturally conceived son would be called Immanuel. The name occurs in Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:8, and Matthew 1:23. In scripture, names have meaning. What does Immanuel the meaning of Immanuel? Matthew 1:23 answers parenthetically: “which means, God with us.” Charles Spurgeon said, “It is a glorious fact, of the highest importance, that since Christ was born into the world, God is with us.”

• “God” is his deity; “with us” is his humanity. 
• “God” is his power; “with us” is his pity. 
• “God” is his majesty; “with us” is his mercy. 
• “God” is his glory; “with us” is his grace. 
• “God” is his transcendence; “with us” is his immanence. 

This is the good news of Christmas: You are not alone. Jesus Christ is God with us. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” How is Jesus God with us?

Jesus is God With Us Physically. 

Christmas is not about the birth of Jesus. It is about the identity of Jesus. No one knows the exact date of Jesus’ birth. Yet his birth divides history into B.C. and A.D. Jesus never wrote a book. Yet more books have been written about him than can be counted. Jesus did not have a formal education to bolster his resume. Yet more schools, colleges, and universities have been founded in his name than any other person. Jesus was no painter, writer, or composer. But he has been the inspiration for the greatest art, music, and poetry the world has ever known. While on earth, he was never left the region of his birth. Yet never has there been a person whose worldwide impact can be felt more, even to this day. 

Who is Jesus? His true identity is revealed in the divine title attributed to him. It declares that baby Jesus, born in human flesh, is God with us. The central truth of the Christmas story is that the Bethlehem child is the living God. John 1:14 says, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

• Jesus is more than an angel with us. 
• Jesus is more than a prophet with us. 
• Jesus is more than a demigod with us. 

Jesus is God with us! God became a fetus. He who is larger than the universe became an embryo. The ancient of days became the infant of days. The omnipotent one made himself breakable. He who is spirit became pierceable. Herbert Lockyer wrote: “As the Man, he understands all about our human emotions, needs, and temptations; and as the God, he can meet every one of them.”

A king dressed as a beggar or workman and visited his people to find ways to help them. One day, he visited a very poor man in a cellar. He spent time with him. He ate scraps with him. He spoke encouraging words. When he finally identified himself, he expected the poor man to ask for a gift or favor. The poor man said, “You left the glory of your palace to visit me in this dreary place. You ate my food and brought gladness to my heart. To others, you have given rich gifts. To me, you have given yourself!” This is what God has done for us in Christ. He has given us himself. Jesus is God with us physically. 

Jesus is God With Us Prophetically. 

When Assyria threatened to attack, Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel asked Ahaz of Judah to join forces with them. When Ahaz refused, they declared war against Judah. Isaiah 7:2 says, “The heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.” The Lord sent Isaiah to tell Ahaz not to be afraid. The enemy would fail. Isaiah 7:10-11 says, “Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: ‘Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.’”

 Ahaz refused to ask for a sign. It was not a humble gesture. It is stubborn unbelief. 2 Chronicles 28 reports that Ahaz made a treaty with Assyria that he expected would neutralize all threats. He did not need or want the Lord’s help. The Lord gave Ahaz a sign anyway. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This prophecy was partially fulfilled in the circumstances of Ahaz and Judah. It was more judgment than salvation. To Ahaz, Immanuel meant that God was with him, whether he liked it or not. The warning still stands. Your unbelief does not change God’s plans. It puts you on a collision course with his sovereign authority. 

The ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 did not happen until seven hundred years after Ahaz was dead and gone. While betrothed to Joseph, Mary was found to be with child, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary’s pregnancy placed Joseph at a pivotal crossroads. But the Lord was at work through Joseph’s personal crisis. The angel confirmed that Mary’s pregnancy was a part of the plan of redemption. Matthew 1:22-23 explains: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” The Bible can be summarized in relation to the promises of God. 

• The Old Testament records God’s promises made to Israel. 
• The New Testament records God’s promises kept in Jesus. 

The promises of God integrate, progress, and culminate in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” 

Jesus is God With Us Redemptively.

“God with us” is about the Person of Christ. It is about the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. Furthermore, it is about the disposition of God toward guilty and unworthy sinners. 

• God made us, and we are accountable to him. 
• God is holy, and we are not. 
• God is just, and we are without excuse. 

Sin is not the sinner’s problem. God is! God demands righteousness. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But here is where the heartbeat of the gospel is felt. What God demands of us; God supplies in Christ. Matthew 1:21 says the angel told Joseph concerning Mary, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” The name of Jesus is the mission of Jesus. Jesus saves his people from the penalty, power, pollution, prison, and presence of sin.

 The declaration of Matthew 1:21 is directly connected to the explanation in Matthew 1:22-23. The saving nameJesus is true because the divine title Immanuel is true. What does Immanuel mean? Matthew 1:23 answers: “with means, God with us.” Spurgeon said, “Those words, ‘which means,’ solute my ear with such sweetness.” The fact that Matthew translated Immanuel for non-Hebrew readers reveals that the gospel is for outsiders. Luke 19:10 is Jesus’ mission statement: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The law declares that God is against us. Grace declares that God is with us. In Luke 2:10-11, the angel said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

A pastor visited a sick member. “Are you in much pain?” he asked. “Yes,” she answered. “But look at my hands. There are no nails there. He had the nails; I have the peace. Look at my head. There are no thorns there. He had the thorns; I have the peace. Look at my side. There is no spear there. He had the spear; I have the peace.” This is the testimony of everyone who has trusted the atoning blood of Jesus for salvation. By the finished work of Christ, God is with us redemptively. 

Jesus is God With Us Imminently. 

A boy missed his father, who was away on military duty. The boy took comfort in a picture of his dad in a frame on his nightstand. When he was frightened, he would stare at the picture and imagine his dad watching over him. It did not work one night. His mother, hearing his weeping, came into his room and asked what was wrong. Through tears, he answered, “I want daddy to come out of the frame.” 

Have you ever felt that way? You believe in God. You read the Bible. You trust his promises. But it feels like God is in a frame when you need him the most. Christ is the remedy.

2 Corinthians 5:19 says, “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself.” In the Incarnation, God stepped out of the frame. God became one of us. God drew near to us. The birth of Jesus created a radical answer to the question, “How can I meet God?” You meet him the way you meet every other person. Just walk up and introduce yourself. Jesus is Immanuel. Immanuel does not mean God made us. Or, God is above us. Or even, God thinks about God. Immanuel means God with us. This is more than a theological assertion. It’s a blessed assurance! 

When Corrie Ten Boom was a child, her father would tuck her into bed. After talking to her and praying with her, he would lay his big hands on her little face. Years later, when Corrie was imprisoned in a brutal Nazi concentration camp, she would ask God to tuck her in and lay his hand on her face. In Each New Day, she wrote, “That would bring me peace, and I would be able to sleep.” To seek God’s dynamic presence is not wishful thinking detached from reality. It’s the blessed assurance of God with us. God is not before us, beside us, or behind us. God is with us! This is the basis of our faith, purpose in life, strength for service, joy in suffering, and hope in death. God is with us. 

Matthew 1:23 begins this Gospel by calling Jesus “Immanuel.” Matthew 28:20 ends this gospel with Jesus saying, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus is God With Us Eternally. 

 Jesus was born in a barn in Bethlehem because there was no room in the inn. Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. As Mary and Joseph watched the sleeping baby, man was able to look down into heaven for the first time. Their little baby was God with us. Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” He was baptized in the Jordan. He was tested in the wilderness. He spoke as no man ever spoke. He performed miracles over nature, demons, sickness, and death. He was betrayed, arrested, condemned, crucified, and buried. On the third day, he rose from the dead. He ascended to the Father’s right hand, where he always lives to make intercession for us. Yet he remains God with us. 

The Lord sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in us and abide with us. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” But the Holy Spirit is not the only means by which Jesus is God with us eternally. Bethlehem will have a sequel! He who has come will come again!

• The first time he came as a little baby. The next time, he will come as a conquering king. 
• The first time he came to die on a cross. The next time he will come to sit on a throne. 
• The first time he came to suffer and die. The next time he will come to rule and reign. 

Revelation 21:1-4 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore; for the former things have passed away.”