OT in NT 31: Immanuel

The Scriptures reveal that Jesus is Immanuel, a name meaning "God with us." This profound truth is stated clearly in the New Testament when Matthew indicates, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel’" (Matthew 1:22-23). This means that in Jesus, the very presence of God has drawn near to humanity.
This understanding of Jesus as Immanuel stems from the Old Testament prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, which foretold, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Matthew’s Gospel explicitly connects this ancient sign to the birth of Jesus, affirming that He is the fulfillment of this promise. The apostle John further elaborates on this incredible reality, stating that "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory" (John 1:14), emphasizing that God’s divine presence was made manifest and lived among us in Jesus Christ. The Messiah is not merely one sent by God, but in Him, God's very presence comes close to His people.
This foundational truth of the incarnation—God becoming flesh in Jesus—is central to our faith because it is "presence theology." It signifies that the long-held hope for God to dwell among His people is fully realized in Jesus. For you, this means that through Jesus, you have access to the living God; His presence is not distant but intimately near. This fulfillment should deepen your trust and awe, knowing that God himself has bridged the gap between heaven and earth to be with you.