Seek First – Kingdom Focused Devotionals

Yesterday, we looked at the human name “Jesus” and the title “Christ.”  One was His human name the other His official title.  Together they remind us that Jesus the Messiah came for the sins of mankind.  Matthew also describes Jesus as “Immanuel.”  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name ‘Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us’” (Matt. 1:23).

                The name Immanuel is found in Isaiah 7:14 and 8:8.  Isaiah 7:14 is quoted in Matt. 1:23.  This is the first of several prophecies that will be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.  I find it amazing that many in Jesus’ day failed to see the significance of His birth, when God had given them clear indication of the miracle they were soon to witness.  It is equally surprising that many persons today will celebrate this important holiday and totally miss its significance. 

                There exists another fascinating element of the name “Immanuel.”  There are several titles used in the Old Testament to speak of the multi-faceted character of the one true God.  One of my favorites is Jehovah Shammah.  It is the last name mentioned in the Old Testament.  It is found in the last verse of the last chapter of Ezekiel.  The prophet is describing the New Jerusalem when he declares that it will be named “Jehovah Shammah” which means “The Lord is there.”  The fulfillment of that name did not occur with the rebuilding of an earthly temple but in the temple that was God’s son—“Immanuel.”  Thus “God is there” is “God with us.”  Christmas means that God is with us. 

Prayer:  I praise You as Immanuel.  Thank you for coming to earth.  Thank You for Your presence among us.  Amen  (For good holiday reading on the Old Testament names fulfilled in Christ, see  The Names of God by Ken Hemphill.

                “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

                We love the name, Jesus.”  We sing—“there is just something about that name.”  Did you know that it was a common name of the day?  It comes from the Hebrew “Joshua” which means “Jehovah is salvation.”  We can understand why many Jewish families would name their child after the famous Old Testament hero who led Israel into the Promised Land. 

                But Mary’s son was called “Jesus the Christ” (1:18).  The word “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Messiah,” which means “anointed one.”  The name Jesus points to God’s desire and ability to save His people.   As Savior, Jesus will provide deliverance from sin.  Only God can forgive sin and thus we know that Jesus is fully God.  Further, “the Christ,” indicates that He is the promised Messiah.  The Redeemer promised by Old Testament prophets had now come in human flesh. 

                Do you understand why the name of Jesus is whispered in our prayers and shouted in our praise?  It is the name of our dear Savior.  It is the name of the One who gave up heavenly glory to come to earth.  It is the name of the One who took upon Himself our sin that we might have eternal life. 

Prayer:  Father, thank You for Jesus.  Jesus, I love and adore You.  I bow down before You.  Amen

We looked yesterday at the earthly lineage of Jesus.  In truth, there were many Jewish men who could trace their lineage to David.  It required more than earthly lineage for one to be able to restore the throne of David forever.  It took divine heredity. 

                You may have noticed that the language and the order changes when we come to the birth of Jesus.  Joseph did not “begat” or “father” Jesus in the same manner as others mentioned in the genealogy.  Joseph is introduced as the husband of Mary (Matt. 1:19).  This is no ordinary birth.  Jesus was born of an earthly mother but without the sexual activity of an earthly father.  “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit” (1:18).  We refer to this as the virgin birth.

                Jesus the Christ, being eternally God (John 1:1), existed before Mary and Joseph.  If Jesus had been born like any other human baby, He would not be God.  It was therefore God’s plan to allow Him to enter the world through an earthly mother through the agency of the Holy Spirit.  This earthly and divine lineage indicates that Jesus was fully man and fully God, the only person qualified to redeem sinful humanity. 

Prayer: Thank you for sending Your Son to a virgin womb to provide the way for a sinner to access Holy God.  Amen