All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). – Matthew 1:22-23
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There is something about closeness that increases the intensity of the experience and decreases the insensitivity to it. Nearer to the sun produces greater light. Nearer to the fire produces greater warmth. Nearer to God produces greater hope and happiness. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then surely presence makes the heart grow fuller. But there is a problem: our sin prevents nearness to God because it separates us from Him with no possible way from our side to bridge the gap between us. This is why Jesus came, to become “God with us” so we can be with God. This is why Jesus lived. This is why Jesus died. This is why Jesus rose. So you and I can draw near to God. In doing so, He unleashed the light and warmth of His love with all of its countless benefits and blessings that come from knowing and being close to Him. We who are trusting in Jesus for forgiveness of and freedom from sin need no longer be distant from real peace, real hope, real joy, real comfort, real security, real wisdom and real love because we are no longer distant from God. The greater our trust in Him, the nearer we are to Him. So… Let us look to Him with confidence that He will satisfy our hearts; let us live for Him by faith that He will secure our way; let us long for Him with hope that He will come for us so we can be perfectly and pleasurably in His presence forevermore. And let us remember and rejoice that it’s all because of Immanuel. When we could not get to God, God came to us.
