Jesus – God With Us (Immanuel)
One of the most powerful titles given to Jesus Christ is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” This is not a poetic phrase or symbolic language — it is a literal declaration of God’s incarnation in human form.
The Prophetic Promise
The prophecy was first given by the prophet Isaiah:
Isaiah 7:14 (KJV):
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
This prophecy foretold a miraculous event — a virgin birth, something never seen in human history. The sign was not just the birth itself, but who the child would be — not merely a great man or prophet, but Immanuel — “God with us.”
The Fulfillment in Jesus
Hundreds of years later, this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ:
Matthew 1:22-23 (KJV):
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child… and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, confirms Jesus is the direct fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus’ birth was divine — Mary conceived by the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:18), not by human means.
What “God With Us” Truly Means
The name Immanuel confirms that Jesus is God, not just a messenger from God.
- He was not created or formed later — He existed before all things (John 1:1–3).
- He did not represent God — He was God manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).
- He did not only bring God’s presence — He was the presence of God dwelling among us (John 1:14).
John 1:14 (KJV):
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”
The word “dwelt” means “tabernacled” — a reference to God’s presence in the Old Testament tabernacle. Now, God dwells in Christ, fully and bodily (Colossians 2:9).
Why It Matters
This truth separates Christianity from every other belief system. No other religion claims that God came down in human flesh to dwell among people and save them Himself.
- God didn’t send someone else — He came Himself in the person of Jesus.
- Jesus is not a second God or a part of God — He is God with us, God as us, God for us.
Additional References for Study
- John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was, I AM.”
- John 10:30 – “I and my Father are one.”
- Colossians 1:15 – “Who is the image of the invisible God…”
- Philippians 2:6–8 – Jesus, being in the form of God, took upon Him the form of a servant.
- Hebrews 1:3 – He is the express image of God’s person.
Conclusion:
The name Immanuel is not just a title — it is a declaration of identity. Jesus is the living, breathing manifestation of Jehovah, the God of Israel, who chose to walk among His people in flesh. To know Jesus is to know God. To see Jesus is to see the Father. He is not God’s representative — He is God Himself with us.
