Emmanuel

The name conferred upon our Lord at His birth is full of doctrinal significance and spiritual import. The angel Gabriel sent from God to bear the tidings of His birth to the Virgin Mary said,—“Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” …. “And they shall call his name Immanuel, which, being interpreted, is, God with us” (Matt. i.).

The hopes of certain faithful ones in Israel became reassured by the appearance of Him in whom “the promises made unto the Fathers” were to be fulfilled. Prophecies, cluster around the mention of His name. Promises, on record concerning Him centuries before, encircle His advent as with a rainbow of hope. According to the prophetic Word, the angel messenger said: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Mary, by the spirit of prophecy, said: “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” …. “He hath holpen his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy: As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.” Zechariah, through the prophetic spirit, said: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: for he hath visited and redeemed his people: And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David: As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.”— “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant: The oath which he sware to our father Abraham” (Luke i.). The end, as seen from the beginning, is brought to light in these prophetic utterances.

The testimony of the angel, reveals Him as both Son of God and Son of David: and heir to his throne and kingdom. The apostle Paul confirms this, saying: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Rom. i. 3).

“The angel of the Lord” came with the tidings of His birth to the shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. “And the glory of the Lord shone round about them.” …. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.”

This scene of angelic worship and joy and glory, seemed to be typically prophetic of that which is to attend the time of His second advent. According to the apostolic word, which saith: “And again, when he bringeth in the first-born into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him” (Heb. i. 6).

In fulfilling the Mosaic law, it is stated that “when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus.” “And they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.”

To Simeon, who was “just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel,” it was revealed by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. “And he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law: then took he him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,—which thou hast prepared before the face of all people: A light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.” “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary, his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel: and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Anna, the prophetess, also coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Israel.” “And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned unto Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him” (Luke ii.). These testimonies lead to those words of the Spirit, through the Psalmist, quoted by the apostle Paul, as he saith, “A body hast thou prepared me” (Heb. x. 5).

The superior wisdom and grace with which Jesus was endowed even in childhood, led His heart to yearn toward His Father’s business. And when His parents were returning from Jerusalem, where they had been to keep the feast of the passover, they sought Him among their acquaintance and kinsfolk. “And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” And he said unto his mother and Joseph, “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke ii.).

The “Star” that guided the wise men to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, appears a beautiful emblem, in the light of the prophecy that “There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel” (Numb. xxiv.). The place whence it should arise” is the subject of another prophetic utterance: “Thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come a governor that shall rule my people Israel” (Matt. ii.).

Designs against the life of Jesus began early to be formed, even in His infancy. The first adversary appeared in the person of Herod, the king. His machinations, however, only served as an occasion for the fulfilling of a prophecy. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek to destroy him. And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my Son.” “Returning into the land of Israel they came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matt. ii.).

The question concerning the Sonship of Jesus appears to have been a very perplexing one to the Jews. After that Jesus had received the anointing spirit, and had been officially empowered to preach the Gospel,—discoursing to the Pharisees on one occasion, He asked them, saying, “What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord (‘Yahweh’) said unto my Lord (‘Adoni’), Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his Son? —And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions” (Matt. xxii.).

The truth, which was incomprehensible to the Pharisees, was made clear and intelligible to the disciples of Jesus. When the Lord put the question to His disciples, saying, “Whom say ye that I, the Son of man, am?” Peter replied, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my (‘Ecclesia’), and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. xvi.).

Only one element of the truth was apparent to the Pharisees:—it was that which they could see and recognize with the natural eye—that Christ should descend from David according to the flesh. The Spirit that animated David’s poetic theme, which he referred to when he said, “The Spirit of Yahweh spake by me, and his word was in my tongue,” the God of Israel said, “The Rock of Israel spake to me,” they were unable to comprehend.

In the manifestation of that ETERNAL SPIRIT Power and Word and Name of Yahweh, as testified through Moses and the Prophets,—the mystery is revealed. And the true import of the words of Christ appears when He saith, “I proceeded forth and came from God—neither came I of myself, but he sent me” (John viii.). Appealing to the testimony of Moses concerning Himself, Jesus said further to the Pharisees, “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not.” …. “Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” (John v. 43-47).