Matthew is big on linking the events he is relating to things the Hebrew prophets foretold – after all, he was writing the Good News for a predominantly Jewish audience, many of whom needed convincing about this Jesus movement.
So, after he tells us about Joseph’s dream, in which an angel instructs Joseph to go forward with his marriage to Mary, “for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit,” Matthew writes: “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’”
Emmanu-el. That’s a big claim in a name: God with us. Not "God far away," not "God too holy to be approached" – God with us. That’s pretty much the heart of the whole thing we do as Christians.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...” (John 1:14)
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and God will dwell with them.’” (Revelation 21:3)
It is a radical thing to say God is with us. It means we can’t claim to be abandoned, no matter how alone we might feel. It means we can’t place God at an unreachable distance from ourselves or our world. In Christ, we have been given entrée to the throne of God, “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:17)
Does it change your perception on the challenges you face in life, knowing that God is with us? Think about the things you feel are insurmountable, or the places you feel powerless. Now bring those up in prayer, in the context of God’s “with-you-ness.” How does it feel to pray to God with you? To pray with God, not to God. We often pray to God-far-away-in-heaven. Jesus is God-wish-us.
Can you start to take advantage of the proximity and access that is yours as a member of the household of God and citizen of the realm of God? Maybe play with places in your imagination where you might start to talk with Jesus in prayer. “The Word is very near you – on your lips and in your heart,” Paul tells us in Romans 10:8, quoting Deuteronomy. What's the good of all this access if we don't use it?
Emmanu-el has drawn near to us in love. God is with us, always. We can go away; God will not.
How will you live today, owning that truth deep in your being? How will you share that gift?
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