Immanuel

Immanuel (or Emmanuel) means “God With Us”.  What a profound statement contained in a name as God is with us in so many ways.  Here’s a responsive reading to illustrate this point.

P:         God is with us in the flesh
C:        The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. – John 1:14

P:         God is with us in all fullness
C:        For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. – Colossians 2:9

P:         God is with us as an example
C:        Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, – Philippians 2:5-6

P:         God is with us as a companion
C:        Jesus said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” – 2 Corinthians 6:16b

P:         God is with us by the Spirit
C:        Jesus said: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.
The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. – John 14:16-17

P:         God is with us always
C:        God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5b

 

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of International Bible Society