Immanuel
Read Matthew 1: 18-25
It came to my attention recently that there are only two references to Jesus as “King of the Jews” during his life on earth. The first we recall was from the Christmas narrative when the Magi saw a star in the East and journeyed to Bethlehem to meet the new born child, “the King of the Jews,” and bowed down before Him with their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. Herod, the ruler at the time, was disturbed by the news so the Magi returned home another way to avoid sharing where they found the child. The other incident was at the death of Jesus. Recall that Pilate could find no fault in Jesus and asked him: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus replied: “Yes, it is as you say.” Pilate gave into the demands of the crowd but to their dismay had the words “King of the Jews” written above the cross. The title appeared at the beginning and end of His life.
Jesus was born in obscurity, in the most humble setting, a manger at an inn since there was no other place available in Bethlehem. Indeed, some came to worship Him and realized who he was. Yet, many doubted then and through the ages to the present time. He did not fit the image of “King of the Jews” and was not the Messiah for which the crowds were looking, not what they had in mind. Have you ever received a gift which was not what you anticipated at the time although it turned out to be a very meaningful gift?
So, who was this Holy child entrusted to Mary and Joseph? As foretold by the prophets of old, the Messiah would come to serve, “a suffering servant” recorded Isaiah, to model what it means to love one another, to seek the least and the lost, to forgive our sins by taking them to the cross. “Who is He?” Immanuel, God with us! The incarnate Word made flesh coming from heaven to earth to live with us and give His life for us. Note the present tense - God with us, not in the distant past, nor some remote time in the future but now. God is with us in our struggles, our sorrows, in disappointments as well as in our joys when we open our hearts to Him. May we worship Immanuel in wonder and awe this Holy Season and may you indeed have a blessed Christmas.
Sue D. Woods
It came to my attention recently that there are only two references to Jesus as “King of the Jews” during his life on earth. The first we recall was from the Christmas narrative when the Magi saw a star in the East and journeyed to Bethlehem to meet the new born child, “the King of the Jews,” and bowed down before Him with their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. Herod, the ruler at the time, was disturbed by the news so the Magi returned home another way to avoid sharing where they found the child. The other incident was at the death of Jesus. Recall that Pilate could find no fault in Jesus and asked him: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus replied: “Yes, it is as you say.” Pilate gave into the demands of the crowd but to their dismay had the words “King of the Jews” written above the cross. The title appeared at the beginning and end of His life.
Jesus was born in obscurity, in the most humble setting, a manger at an inn since there was no other place available in Bethlehem. Indeed, some came to worship Him and realized who he was. Yet, many doubted then and through the ages to the present time. He did not fit the image of “King of the Jews” and was not the Messiah for which the crowds were looking, not what they had in mind. Have you ever received a gift which was not what you anticipated at the time although it turned out to be a very meaningful gift?
So, who was this Holy child entrusted to Mary and Joseph? As foretold by the prophets of old, the Messiah would come to serve, “a suffering servant” recorded Isaiah, to model what it means to love one another, to seek the least and the lost, to forgive our sins by taking them to the cross. “Who is He?” Immanuel, God with us! The incarnate Word made flesh coming from heaven to earth to live with us and give His life for us. Note the present tense - God with us, not in the distant past, nor some remote time in the future but now. God is with us in our struggles, our sorrows, in disappointments as well as in our joys when we open our hearts to Him. May we worship Immanuel in wonder and awe this Holy Season and may you indeed have a blessed Christmas.
Sue D. Woods
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