God with us.

“They shall call His name Immanuel”- Matthew 1:23

In the hustle and bustle of life, it is easy to forget just how close Jesus wants to be with us. Sometimes, we fall into the trap of believing that He’s too far up there to be bothered with our everyday problems. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Jesus is Immanuel, literally God with us, and knowing Him by that name changes everything. 

Remember what it says in Matthew 1:23? "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel." That's not just some fancy title; it's a promise that God chose to be right here with us, experiencing life in all its messiness.

Think about it—Jesus didn't just come down to earth and hang out in some fancy palace. No, He walked the dusty roads, felt hunger and thirst, faced temptation, endured pain and suffering, and yes, even died a human death. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us of this: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

Now, let's break down that word "sympathize" for a moment. It's from the Greek word sympatheo, which basically means "to suffer with." Jesus isn't just nodding sympathetically from a distance; He's right there in the trenches with us, feeling our pain and struggles firsthand.

Contrary to what some might think, God isn't some withdrawn deity who couldn't care less about our problems. Jesus' very presence on earth proves otherwise. He chose to obey the Father and bring His divine presence into our midst. John 1:14 puts it beautifully: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." 

And let's not forget about Philippians 3:10, where Paul talks about sharing in Jesus' sufferings. That's the kind of intimate relationship we're invited into—not just experiencing the highs together, but walking through the lows hand in hand.

Understanding that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human changes everything. It means we can approach Him with humility and reverence, knowing that He gets it, He's been there, and He's right here with us now.

Even in the busyness of everyday life, we remember the intimacy of Jesus as Immanuel. God with us. He is not some distance figure; He’s our constant companion, ever-present help in times of need.