GLORY TO GOD, PEACE TO MEN

Luke 2:1-14

Key Verse 14

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

1. Read verses 1-7. Describe the historical background of Jesus’ birth. (1-3) What is the significance of Joseph and Mary’s going to Bethlehem? (4-5; Mic 5:2) What does Jesus’ birth in a manger mean? (6-7; 2 Cor 8:9)

2. Read verses 8-12. Who were the first recipients of the news of Jesus’ birth? (8, 9) How is Jesus’ birth the good news of great joy for all people? (10, 11) What does this sign tell us about God’s work (12)?

3. Read verses 13-14. How did the heavenly hosts with the angel praise God? (13-14) How does Jesus’ birth reveal God’s glory and bring peace to those who accept Him?

GLORY TO GOD, PEACE TO MEN

Luke 2:1-14

Key Verse 14

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Introduction

In this passage we can learn how Jesus was born and the message the angels delivered about his birth. Jesus was born in a small town, Bethlehem and placed in a manger. Jesus’ birth is the good news of great joy for all the people. Jesus’ birth reveals the glory of God. Why is Jesus’ birth glory to God? It is because it is a fulfillment of God’s salvation plan for the fallen world through Jesus’ humble obedience (Phil 2:5-11). Why is Jesus’ birth ‘peace to man’? It is because through Jesus we can be reconciled with God. Jesus came to this world as the ransom sacrifice for sinners, and sinners can become the children of God. When we accept God’s amazing love through his Son Jesus, we can have peace: peace with God, peace with one another, and peace in our hearts. May God help us to renew our joy and peace while we newly meditate on Jesus’ birth through this passage.

1. Read verses 1-7. Describe the historical background of Jesus’ birth. (1-3) What is the significance of Joseph and Mary’s going to Bethlehem? (4-5; Mic 5:2) What does Jesus’ birth in a manger mean? (6-7; 2 Cor 8:9)

1-1. Read verses 1-7.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

1-2. Describe the historical background of Jesus’ birth. (1-3)

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

· Caesar Augustus( B.C 63-A.D:14) Original name was ‘Gaius Octavius’. He was the first emperor of Roman Empire and was enthroned for 40 years (B.C.27-A.D.14). He was a very powerful and successful emperor who established the foundation of Pax Romana. (The peace of Rome).

· Usually a census was ordered on a regular basis for taxation, army service, and for keeping the order in the Empire.

· Quirinius : The Roman governor of Syria. He was an able general and helped Caesar Augustus as an advisor for a while. Israel became part of Syria and was ruled by the Empire.

. Census should be taken of the entire Roman world : The Roman empire was the most powerful kingdom on earth at this time and was very prosperous. But Jesus’ kingdom and his power was very small at this time, as tiny as a baby. However Rome perished but Jesus’ kingdom is still growing and Jesus is in the most high with all authority in heaven and on earth!

. "It is possible that the Sovereign Lord God used the emperor's order as a means of removing Mary from possible gossip and emotional stress in her own village. Joseph had already accepted her as his wife (Matthew 1:24), but apparently continued in betrothal (Luke 2:5), pledged to be married, till after the birth."

· Everyone went to their hometown: For the census, people had to go back to their hometown and register. This was the customary way Israel’s census registration was conducted. The Roman way was to have the people register wherever they lived at the time. Jews also followed the order but they kept their pride and dignity as a chosen people.

· By describing the historical background, the author Luke shows that Jesus’ birth was a historical fact that actually happened, fulfilling God’s promise.

1-3. What is the significance of Joseph and Mary’s going to Bethlehem? (4-5; Mic 5:2)

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

· Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem : It was the fulfillment of prophecy about the Messiah’s birth. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Mic 5:2)

· Micah was a prophet who prophesied from approximately 737 to 696 BC in Judah. He preached one of the most significant prophecies of Jesus Christ’s birth in all the Old Testament, pointing some seven hundred years before Christ’s birth to His birthplace of Bethlehem and to His eternal nature.

· Micah’s prophecy was fulfilled exactly in history seven hundred years later.

· God fulfilled His word using the Emperor’s order, which shows God’s sovereignty and his faithfulness. God is the Lord of history and his will is done absolutely.

· Joseph belonged to the house and line of David : It was the fulfilment of God’s promise that the Messiah would come as a king in the line of king David.

· Bethlehem : King David’s hometown (1 Samuel 20:6). Located 7.2 km from Jerusalem, used to be called ‘Ephrathah’, Rachel was buried in the place.(Gen 35:19) called “house of bread” as well.

1-4. What does Jesus’ birth in a manger mean? (6-7; 2 Cor 8:9)

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

· The time came for the baby to be born: Jesus was born, going through all the same growing processes just like any other baby. He was born as an ordinary baby and human being.

· By being born with human flesh, He is able to empathize with us and help us. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Heb 4:15)

· Her first son : After Jesus’ birth, Mary gave birth to other children. (Lk 8:19,20 Mt 12:46, Mk 3:31)

· guest room available : refers to motel or inn, Jesus couldn’t have a room where he could be taken care of as a baby. From his birth Jesus experienced suffering and poverty.

· Placed him in a manger : very poor, humble and low place. He was so humble and poor even though he was the Lord of Lords, compared to the Emperor of Rome.

· The place of Jesus’ birth shows Jesus’ humility and suffering. Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”(Lk 9:58)

· Jesus served sinners through his suffering and humility.

· Jesus made us rich through his poverty. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2Cor 8:9)

• Jesus was born at an inn where people stay temporarily to give the message that the earth was his temporary place. To all the believers this world is a temporary place where we stays for a while until we enter the kingdom of God, our eternal home.

• Jesus was not welcomed by people. Rather they didn’t recognize him, so they allowed him to be laid in a manger.

• We cannot see any glory or honor from this baby in the manger. Instead what we see is humility, poverty, and sorrow.

2. Read verses 8-12. Who were the first recipients of the news of Jesus’ birth? (8, 9) How is Jesus’ birth the good news of great joy for all people? (10, 11) What does this sign tell us about God’s work (12)?

2-1. Read verses 8-12.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

2-2. Who were the first recipients of the news of Jesus’ birth? (8, 9)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

· Shepherd: shepherding was considered as lowly job. People looked down shepherds considering their work as manual and unclean. Shepherds were ignored as low class humble people.

• Even though people didn’t recognize him, God honored him through certain people and his angels. People could doubt saying ‘How could a baby laid in a manger be a savior?’ But through his message to the shepherds and the appearance of huge number of angeles, God clearly demonstrated that Jesus was Messiah whom he sent.

• But giving the news of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds first, God showed who the Messiah would be for his people. Jesus became a good shepherd to his sheep and laid down his life for them(Jn 10:11)

· The good news was given to the poor and humble people first. He came for lowly people who were poor in spirit.

· keeping watch over their flocks at night : the shepherd took care of the sheep taking turns at night. They were faithful shepherds who took take care of their sheep well.

Moses and David keeping their sheep were called to serve God's people.

. Likewise Jesus is the good Shepherd who watches over his sheep faithfully even at night.

· The glory of the Lord shone around them, which refers to the presence of God. The good news came from God and God was working. God confirmed the message by shining his glory around them. It was God’s glorious work.

2-3. How is Jesus’ birth the good news of great joy for all people? (10, 11)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

· Good news: Jesus’ birth is good news because his birth will be a blessing for all people.

· It will bring great joy for all the people : all people on earth regardless whatever background they may have. Anyone can receive the blessing of Messiah’s birth by faith.

· The good news is a savior, the Messiah was born: what people really need is the savior, the Messiah who can save them from their problem, especially from their slavery of sin and death.

· He is the Lord: Jesus is the Lord God. He is the Lord over all things including our hearts and life.

· When people are free from their sins and ruled by the Lord Jesus, they can live a life that is full of fruit, joy and peace.

. Also the Hebrew word “Messiah” is translated to the Greek word “Christ” In the Old Testament, three groups of people were anointed. They were priests, prophets, and kings. They were anointed with oil to signal their dedication to God.

• First, Jesus is our Priest. In order to accept Jesus’ birth as good news of great joy, we must listen to the bad news first. The bad news is that we human beings are sinners and all of us are destined to die. This is our destiny as uncomfortable as this truth might be. Sin breaks God’s heart. Sin provokes God’s anger. So the forgiveness of sin is costly. In the Old Testament times, people brought the best animals they had to sacrifice it, for atonement or forgiveness of their sins before the priests. In this way, sacrifices were offered every day in the temple. But the day came when the cute lamb in the temple was no longer the sacrifice.

• Yes! The day has come! What a great day it is! When the baby in the manger grew up and offered himself as the Lamb of God. The baby in the manger was born precisely in order to become the offering on the cross. He is the Lamb of God, given us by the Father for the reconciliation of all who put their faith in Jesus.

• Jesus is our Priest who sacrificed himself for us. This world was full of enmity. But it is reconciled by the Lamb of God who is our Priest. Because Jesus, our Priest, offered himself for us, we have access to God. We have access to the Kingdom of God. We were guilty, but not guilty any more through the baby Jesus. This is really good news of great joy!

• Second, Jesus is our Prophet. A prophet is a mediator between God and men who speaks God’s words to his people. He speaks what he has heard by inspiration from God or what God has shown him by vision or dreams.

• Jesus speaks conclusively for God because He Himself is God, Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us.’ Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (Jn 8:34). But Jesus promises “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:30). We were slaves of sin but Jesus saves us from our sins through his word of truth as a perfect mediator between God and men.

• Third, Jesus is our King. In Israel’s history, there were not many good and responsible kings. King David was different from others. He was a shepherd-king. He defended people at his own risk, for any reason. While he was on the throne, David brought glory to his people and eventually to God. But, as we know, even King David committed sins of adultery and murder. We need a perfect sinless shepherd king who rules us with truth and grace, but there is none who could ever rule in this way. But Jesus came to this world as the perfect God and the perfect man to be our Shepherd King.

• Then what is the ultimate purpose of Jesus’ coming to this world? It was to bring us back to his eternal kingdom. As Christ the Lord, Jesus came to restore the eternal kingdom of God. People thought that the Roman Empire would be eternal. But there is nothing eternal in the world. Only the kingdom of Jesus is forever. While on earth, Jesus rules our hearts with his grace and truth.

• When our lives are over, our ultimate destination is the kingdom of God. When we have faith in the kingdom of God, we can live a life as holy pilgrims with no anxiety. We can live our lives with God’s holy mission and the living hope of the kingdom of God.

• Spiritually we are in a battleground against Satan. Sometimes we are wounded, MIA (missing-in-action), or even KIA (killed-in-action). Who can safeguard us in this battlefield? Only Jesus is our King anointed from eternity.

• Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Good Shepherd Jesus never forsakes even a single sheep. He will bring all of us to His kingdom. Christ the Lord restores sinners and this world as a priest, and next he rules us as a king and teaches us the truth as a prophet. In this way, we are free as long as we remain in Jesus. Thank you, Jesus! You are indeed our Christ and the Messiah the Lord!

2-4. What does this sign tell us about God’s work (12)?

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

· baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger : the manger is the place where there is no glory and honor. The manger refers to humility, sacrifice and suffering. It shows how Jesus would save his people.

• Jesus didn’t come to this world with glory but came with complete humility

· God started his salvation work at the lowest place with a small baby. God starts his work with small and tiny thing and make it great, powerful and glorious.

3. Read verses 13-14. How did the heavenly hosts with the angel praise God? (13-14) How does Jesus’ birth reveal God’s glory and bring peace to those who accept Him?

3-1. Read verses 13-14.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

3-2. How did the heavenly hosts with the angel praise God? (13-14)

· A great company of the heavenly host : The angels of God were the witness of the great work of God and they praised God for his great work through the birth of the Messiah.

· “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

• The angels celebrated the Messiah’s birth with great praise. We should celebrate Jesus’ birth with great joy and thanks praising God who sent him.

• God’s work of salvation shows his glory the most.

3-3. How does Jesus’ birth reveal God’s glory and bring peace to those who accept Him?

· Glory to God in the highest heaven

- The glory of God and his divine nature dwell in Jesus and are revealed through Him. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. (Heb 1:3a)

- The glory of God will be revealed through Jesus’ salvation work on earth and people will praise God.

- God’s glorious salvation work will be completed through Jesus Christ.

- The Messiah’s birth itself demonstrated God’s love, faithfulness, and power which are God’s glory.

· On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

- Jesus will break down the barrier between God and men and bring reconciliation and peace between them through his sacrifice on the cross. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, (Eph. 2:14)

- Before we were enemies of God because of our sin. Jesus reconciled us to God so that we would have peace in relationship with God. When people are reconciled to God in Jesus, they can have true peace. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)

- People also can have peace among themselves overcoming all conflicts and having reconciliation in Jesus Christ. People can reconcile to each other and love one another in Jesus and have peace together.

Conclusion

Jesus was born with deep humility and poverty to serve sinners and make them truly rich in him. He is the savior, the Messiah and the Lord. We can have true peace in Jesus reconciling with God and others. God revealed his glory and proclaimed peace to all people through Jesus’ birth.

One word; GLORY TO GOD, PEACE TO MEN

2018 Christmas message at Cal Poly Pomona

Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)

Matthew 1:18-25

Key Verse 1:23

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

Merry Christmas! The title for today’s message is Immanuel which means God with us. May we read this verse together? Let’s go. ““The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”

Let’s pray.

Christmas is one of the most joyful time of the year. And the reason is the birth of Jesus Christ. Today we would like to think about why the birth of Jesus Christ is so joyful for all of us based on Immanuel, God with us. There is an interesting and funny story. One mother had two sons, 8 years old and 10 years old. And they are so mischievous and trouble makers that she could not control them at all no matter whatever she did. One day she heard a new clergyman on her town is an expert to take care of those trouble makers, young sons and daughters. So she went to him and he agreed to meet two boys one by one. He met first the eight years old boy. The clergyman with frown face and stern voice, asked him, “Where is God?” No answer. After a while he asked him again with a more stern face and a little bit higher voice. “Where is God?” No answer. The third time, the clergyman said to the boy, asked the boy with the most stern face and with the loudest voice, this time even with his finger pointing to his face, “Where is God?” At this, the boy ran out of the room and went to his ten years old brother. His older brother asked him, “What happened?” The boy said to his brother, “We have a big trouble this time!” “God is missing and they think we did it!” No wonder the clergyman was an expert to take care of troubled boys. “Where is God?” “Where is God?” According to the title, where is God? God is with us! My message is based on two parts. Part I. God with Joseph (vs.18-21) Part II. God with us (vs.22-25)

Part I. God with Joseph (vs.18-21)

Let’s read verses 18-21 responsively. I will go first. “¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

We all know the story. And Joseph in today’s passage was a righteous man. Verse 19 says, “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law”. He was a faithful man to God’s law. He was righteous man in the sight of God. But this righteous man was not exempt from troubles in life. Arguably the betrayal of Mary was the most traumatic, the greatest agony in his entire life. When he heard his fiancé Mary was pregnant the only way for her to be pregnant was to have someone else. First, Joseph might have denied it. “This cannot be true!” Then after for a while, he might be burned with anger. “How could she do that!” After for a while he could despair. Maybe he wanted to give it up. He was righteous man, faithful to the law of God. So he had to divorce her. But he was also graceful. He did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace. So he wanted to divorce her quietly. Righteous man Joseph was not exempt from agonies of life! After he had considered this, after he had spent many sleepless, agonized nights, finally when he decided to divorce her quietly, the Lord sent an angel to him, in a dream, and said, ““Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

The Lord was with Joseph at this agonized moment of his life. Although he was righteous, he was not exempt from terrible troubles in life. But the Lord was with Joseph at this trouble times! And the son will save his people from their sins. Sin, according to the bible, is the source of all troubles in our lives. We know what is troubles, agonies, and difficulties of life. You are all familiar with it. I am familiar with it. Sin is the root cause of all our agonies in life. And Jesus will save his people from their sins. The greatest good news of all people on earth.

The Lord was with Joseph when Jesus was in agony even though he was a righteous man. There is another example in Genesis. The righteous man suffered and the Lord was with him. That was Joseph in Genesis. Joseph in Genesis was the eleventh son of his father Jacob. He had 10 older brothers, step brothers. Joseph was a righteous man, innocent man. He was faithful to his father. And his father loved him. And his brothers envied him. So where there was a chance, they wanted to kill him. Eventually they sold him as a slave to Egypt. Joseph was sold to a man named Potiphar in Egypt. Suddenly when he was a teenager boy, he became from a loved son of his father to a slave in a foreign land. Although he was an innocent boy he was not exempt from troubles in his life. When he was sold as a slave, what happened to him? If you look at Genesis chapter 39, this is how it says, “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered.” It does not say, “Joseph was with the Lord” or “Joseph was faithful to the Lord” so that he prospered. It says, “The Lord was faithful, the Lord was with Joseph” so that he prospered.

More than Joseph wanted to be with the Lord, the Lord really wanted to be with Joseph. What will happen if Joseph wanted to be with the Lord? If Joseph wanted to be with the Lord, he will bound to fail. There will be times he may not be with the Lord. But when the Lord wants to be with Joseph, there will be no failure! There is no failure in the Lord! The Lord was with Joseph without fail. And that was the secret of his prosperity.

He was a righteous man. He worked so hard. But he was not exempt from troubles in life. As he was a handsome man and well built man, his wife, the wife of his master, Mrs Potiphar took notice of it. And he wanted to have sex with him. “Let’s go to bed with me!” That was one single message whenever she had a chance. Joseph, the righteous man avoided it. But one day when there was no one in the house, she grabbed him and demanded him to go the room and sleep with her. And Joseph ran out of the house, throwing away his cloak, his clothes. Her lust turned into a fierce anger and she lied to her husband and Joseph was thrown into a prison. Slave in a foreign land is already lowly position. But now he became a criminal. Slave, criminal in a foreign land, the bottom of bottom of society.

What happened to him? If you look at Genesis chapter 39, the Lord was with Joseph, and he was kind and helped him to find favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Whenever I studied the bible passage of this part, I always ask questions. “Why didn’t the bible say “As Joseph was with the Lord” or “Joseph was faithful to the Lord” he was prosperous. Joseph was faithful to the Lord, or “as he was with the Lord” the Lord gave him kindness and favor to find in the prison warden.

It is because it is the Lord who initiated to be with Joseph. Joseph was a faithful man. How can he be faithful? His faithfulness will be limited. But if the Lord wants to be faithful with Joseph he will never fail. If the Lord wants to be with Joseph, who can be against him? He will never fail and the Lord will be with Joseph forever, always! And that was the secret of his success. Although he was righteous man he was not free from troubles and agonies of life. But the Lord was with Joseph in the time of his agony.

Part II. God with us (vs.22-25)

Let’s read these verses responsively. “²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

The virgin will conceive and will birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel which means “God with us” was given to evil man. This prophecy was given to an evil man. And his name is king “Ahaz” in the kingdom of Judah.

King Ahaz was evil man. He even sacrificed his children to worship idols. Such a wicked man! As much as righteous men were not exempt from troubles in life, so also wicked people are not exempt from agonies of life. He heard the news! Two northern kingdom tried to invade his kingdom and took care of him and his country would be destroyed. He and his people were so fearful. Bible describes that they were shattering. They are trembled like trees in the forest by the wind. Evil men are not exempt in the troubles of life.

But at the same time the Lord was with evil man king Ahaz. He sent the prophet Isaiah, and told him to stand firm in the faith. Of course evil man Ahaz would not want to do that. Since he was an evil and had weak faith, the Lord even offered him a sign from heaven. Ask sign, visible sign, whatever it is can convince you I will give it to you and help you to believe! And you will be fine. King Ahaz rejected it. No, I am not gonna ask the sign. “No!” I am not gonna put the Lord to the test. But the sign was given to him anyhow.

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

This prophecy was ultimately fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ. There is possibility that this was fulfilled in the time of king Ahaz. But it was ultimately fulfilled in the time, at the birth of Jesus Christ. So Jesus Christ, the name of Jesus Christ is, “God with us, Immanuel”

Now when Joseph woke up he did what he was commanded. He was righteous and faithful man. Now we learned that God is with wicked people and righteous people. What about “us”? What do you think you are? Do you think you are righteous? Or wicked or combo.

We know the Lord was with righteous man, Joseph and wicked man Ahab. How about us? The bible says “God with us”. The word “Immanuel” is the combination of two words. “Immanu” which means “with us”. “El” means “God”. So “with us God”. Immanuel, with us God.

If God wants to be with us, who can be against him? If God wants to be with us how can he fail? If God wants to be with us he will be always with us. If we want to be with God we are bound to fail. in a matter of time we will fail to be with him. But if the Lord wants to be with us he will never fail. The last verse of the book of Matthew is this. “I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is the Lord’s decision and promise. “I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS” to the very end of the age. If the Lord wants to be with us always to the very end of the age, what will happen? The Lord will be with us always. Period. The Lord will be with us always! Whatever we think, whatever we feel, troubles, he will be always with us. Now it is confirmed the Lord is with us always. Since he cannot fail, this is the truth. Even whatever you acknowledge or not.

Now when we know the Lord is with us, what should we do? After we know the Lord is with us, what should we do? If I tell you, “Oh, someone is with you”, your response probably will be, “Oh, who is he or who is she?” If someone is with us and if we ignore him or her, it is insult. It is rude. Since the Lord is with us always, we need to SEEK him. We need to seek him. According to the Bible, self-seeking is sin, and God seeking is what God desires.

I studied Genesis in 1975, the first book in the bible. Genesis has seven lessons at that time. And my bible teacher asked me to make a vow when we studied Jacob’s vow. So I made a vow. But when I wanted to make a vow, it dawned on me “Should I make a vow on the condition that God does exist?” Or “Should I make a vow on the condition that God does not exist?” Because I did not know. I considered it and reasoned it. I made a vow on the condition that God does exist. Praise God! I reasoned it for selfish purpose because it is safer. You know vow is obligation on my side. I don’t want suddenly popped up huge obligation on my life. So I thought it would be safer to make a vow on the condition that God does exist. My vow is something like, “If you help me to overcome all the darkness in my heart and in my practical life; if you help me to do this so well that my life would be perfect so perfect that even if I am born again I want to live exactly the same life. Do this for me and you will be my God and I will live for you. Because I know I would not lose anything.

Such a perfect life is what I vowed to God. I was born again. 10 years have passed. 20 years have passed. 30 years approaching. Nothing happened. So I wondered because I believed God never fails to answer vow. That was my faith. So one day I asked to the Lord, “Lord, I look at my life, and there is not many years left. You did not answer my vow so far. I don’t have many years left. When will you answer my vow?” This is what the Lord told me, spoke to me. “Why are you SEEKING your obedience when Jesus’ obedience is yours?”

Wow! I am still thinking about it. “Why are you seeking your obedience when Jesus’ obedience is yours?” There is a parenthesis in the middle. “Why are you seeking your obedience (which will always fail)” as a matter of time. You’ve been doing this 3 decades. “Why are you seeking your obedience which will always fail?” Is 30 years of proof not enough for you? Why are you seeking YOUR obedience? Whereas Jesus’ perfect obedience is yours all the time. Has been yours, is your, and will be yours all the time! Why won’t you seek it?

Oh, I realized, Oh, I got a wrong direction. I should not SEEK my obedience but JESUS’ OBEDIENCE. When God is with us, Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we should not seek us but God who is with us always. When you are in trouble, instead of thinking about how trouble, but think Jesus Immanuel who is with you go through the same trouble.

When you suffer from fear, instead of thinking about you “Oh, I am so fearful”, “I am in deep depression” but seek Jesus Immanuel who is God with you and he is going through the same fear and depression.

What is the most tragic and fearful event in all men’s life? Do you know what it is? What do you afraid of the most? Death! “I am going to kill you. Do this!” that is the ultimatum to every human being. Jesus, Immanuel, who is God with us, he became a man because he wanted to go through death for us. We don’t know what will happen after death. But through his own death, he made our death what? Peaceful sleep. He became a man. He is with us. He is God with us went through death so that we may not go through death. But we may enjoy death as our peaceful sleep!

Why don’t seek Immanuel, God with us but seek us? I believe a couple of reasons. First, we are seeking miraculous big signs to be convinced God is with us. Evil man Ahaz didn’t care about a small sign for him. A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel? It was too small for him. The sign for him probably. There is thousands and millions of solders from other foreign countries coming to help him. Maybe that was sign to him “Oh, God is with me!”

Bible says Jesus Immanuel God with us. All Christians know this. But why do we fail to seek him? Because we may seek miraculous signs. Let me ask you a question. I know God is with you. What kind of sign do you have to prove God with you? What kind of sign do you have? If someone comes to you, “I know you are a Christian. I know God with you. Can you show me a sign that God is with you?” What kind of sign can you give? What kind of sign do you have? Do you have thunderous signs that your bodies vibrates, filled with such a power or full of energy full of laughter. Do you have that sign? Yes? No? Don’t know! You don’t. I don’t. But what do you have? What do you have?

You have what the bible says. “I am be with you always to the very end of the age.” Bible says Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. That’s the sign. That’s what you have.

Another reason we may not seek God but seek ourselves is because we want interpret presence of God when God solves our problems. When the Lord solves our big troubles, surely say, “The Lord is with me!” No problem! Praise God! But let me ask you. Don’t you have troubles? Is anyone who is completely free troubles? Raise your hands. Is anyone completely free agonies of life? Raise your hands please. I want to meet that person. Jesus will save us from our sins ultimately in the kingdom of God. But in life, we have agonies and troubles of life. If you look for a sign of the Lord’s presence in the matter of solving our troubles we are in trouble. When I will seek the Lord.

What do we need to seek then? Instead of resolving our problems, what do you need to seek? God with us! That’s what we need to seek. God with us! God did not promise to exempt us from troubles of life. Jesus even said, “In this world, you will have trouble”. Trouble guaranteed. Maybe you came to hear listen only joyous message. But I say to you ‘you have guaranteed troubles’. But that’s not it though. There is another GOOD ONE. What is it? GOD WITH US! Immanuel! Troubles may come and go. If you take care of one trouble, what happens? Another coming in! If you take care of that one, another will come sooner or later. But what is one thing that is always permanent and not changing? What is it? GOD WITH US! He promised! “I will be with you always to the very end of the age.” When he wants us to be with us always who can be against us? We cannot be even against this. Even if we do not want to be with us still he will be with us. Are you depressed? Strange question on a Christmas day, right? We have troubles. But we have good news. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. Whether you are righteous or wicked or combo we all have troubles. But God with the wicked, the righteous and us ALWAYS! This is the good news!

One word: Immanuel which means God with us.