me in Isaiah chapter 7 and verse 14. Isaiah chapter 7 and verse 14. I am probably guessing that even as I mentioned this passage, there are some of you that are already knowing what this passage is. Some of you probably already have this memorized. What I'm gonna do is I'm going to read Isaiah 7, 14, and then I'm going to jump ahead and read Matthew 1, verses 22 and 23. And you will see, of course, the connection between the two. Isaiah 7, verse 14, therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel. Then let's turn ahead to Matthew chapter one, Matthew chapter one. After our Lord has spoken to Joseph, told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, told him who it was that Mary was bearing within her womb. He is indeed Jesus who would save his people from their sins. Verse 22, so all this was done that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord through the prophets saying, behold, the Virgin shall be with child and bear a son. and they shall call his name Immanuel, which is translated or which being interpreted is God with us. Well, some years ago, I found myself in perhaps an unusual set of circumstances. I found myself sitting in a small McDonald's in the Malvern Mall eating supper with, at that time, the CEO of Holt Renforth. And that was quite an interesting experience. This happened because I actually taught his sons at school. And I was going, before the graduation ceremonies, I was going to just get a quick bite to eat. And I walk in, and I saw them there. And so we all kind of joined together. But I remember sitting there, and I just remember thinking that this is kind of interesting. Here he is. He had an incredibly, you know, you look through his own pictures of who he has met and it's basically the who's who of everything. Celebrities, fashion designers, sports people. He has pictures of himself with all of these people. And here he is sitting with me and of course his family in this McDonald's and really no one around knows who he is. And I thought, this is such a fascinating sort of thing, sociologically. Here's someone who is such an exalted position in some circles, and yet really not even known or recognized, sitting here in this kind of out-of-the-way McDonald's. Well, of course, that contrast is really nothing compared to the contrast of our Savior coming to earth and walking among us. As we saw in our passages, both of which spoke the same truth, Jesus is God with us. And there has been, of course, a great deal of discussion regarding exactly how the Isaiah prophecy is intended. Is this a direct fulfillment? Is this a dual fulfillment in that there was some other child who in some measure fit the prophecy back in the time of Isaiah? Is this sort of a cumulative fulfillment? And I'll leave all of that to the Bible scholars to debate and discuss among themselves. Sufficient to say that all true believers recognize That the scripture which cannot be broken tells us that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah 714. That Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. Of course, that very name, Emmanuel, which means God with us, is profound in itself. Because it tells us that Jesus is God. He is God with us. It's profound not only that it speaks to the deity of Jesus, it's profound in that it speaks to the condescension of Jesus. He is God with us. It's profound in that it speaks to the presence of Jesus. That he is God with us. As I reflected upon this this week, I thought of at least three ways in which the scripture describes Jesus as that promised Emmanuel. And the first, of course, is the most obvious in the immediate context, and that is that Jesus is God with us incarnationally. Now that may seem like a very big word. When we talk about the incarnation, we're talking about the simple truth, well not the simple truth, but the profound truth that is spoken of in 1 Timothy 3.16. Great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh. God appeared in a body. The same truth that is spoken to us in John 1. and verse 14, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus is God with us. He is God the Son, the Son of God, who took upon himself human flesh. That Jesus became man without ceasing to be God. That in becoming man, Jesus did not subtract anything from himself, but rather took upon himself something. How great is this mystery of godliness, that Jesus is Emmanuel, that Jesus is God with us. We read in the pages of scripture about how God is spirit, an infinite spirit, a God who has no spatial limitations, a God who fills heaven and earth. Indeed, Solomon said, heaven and earth cannot contain him. And yet God, the Son, the second person of the Trinity, took upon himself human flesh. And the manner in which he did it, of course, as we know, is so miraculous too, is it not? A virgin shall conceive. A virgin shall conceive. Who would have ever imagined such a thing? Who would ever have conceived of such a plan? No pun intended. Who would ever have come up with such an idea that a virgin would conceive? It seems so preposterous and yet there are cults today who suggest even more preposterous things. For example, the Mormons believe that Jesus is the result of literal and physical relations between Elohim and Mary. Oh, the truth of the scripture is profound and spiritual. It is not carnal. It's not lurid in its details. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary so that what was in her is God incarnate. The God who has the power to speak and say, let there be would step into Human flesh. And we think about his birth this Christmas season. And any of us who have seen little infants, we know that little infants that are born, they struggle, they have no control over their limbs. They kind of wave them about. The God who spoke and said, let there be light. entered the world unable to speak and only make noises. The God who could measure out the heavens with a span could only helplessly wave those hands in that manger. What great mystery this is. And of course the virgin birth is so vital to this because Jesus was the seed of woman. Being virgin born, he did not inherit man's sin nature. God as his father, he did not have that sin which stains all of us. Born of the virgin. God with us. How vital this was. We think about Jesus' birth this season, We need to look not simply at the cradle, but to the cross. For this was the reason for the incarnation. This is the reason for the cradle. God is the infinite eternal spirit could not die, but Jesus, who takes upon himself human flesh, can die for the sin of his people. In fact, the author of Hebrews comments upon this. In fact, says that Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren. He has taken upon himself human flesh. It says, in as much then as children have taken partaken of flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Or as Paul would put it in speaking to the Philippians, being in the form of God, he thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation. He took upon himself the form of a bond servant, a slave. He came in the likeness of men and being found in fashion or an appearance as a man, he humbled himself and he became obedient unto death. even the death of the cross. Jesus is God with us incarnationally and how vital that is for our redemption. Had Jesus not taken upon himself flesh and blood, he could not have died. He could not have paid the penalty for our sins. And yet as God incarnate, As the perfect and holy Son of God, He can offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Indeed, the Old Testament actually pointed to the fact that the Savior of men's sins could take no less than God Himself, that it must be God so great as our sins. In fact, the prophet Isaiah would record the words of our Lord, saying, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is none else. So great is the problem of our sin, having offended a holy God, infinite in its rebellion, that it is so great that only God could deal with it. And he does this. God takes upon himself a debt that he did not owe, He takes upon himself a penalty that he did not deserve. He comes to earth to die. What mystery, what humility, what love, how vital this is for our redemption. Jesus came to earth taking upon himself human nature, living that perfect life, offering himself as a perfect sacrifice. Truly, Jesus is, Emmanuel, the gift of gifts. God with us. And I need to ask, do you know Emmanuel is your Savior? This season is it simply about the nostalgia? Is it simply about tradition? Is it about the carols that you enjoy? Or is there a deeper connection that you have? Oh, we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way. And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. God in his love for us and in his holy hatred of sin has devised a way in which he can be both just and the justifier of those who believe. And that is that God has undertaken to pay the penalty Himself so that all who will place their faith and trust in Him will be saved, will be counted righteous. Not because of their own works, not because of their efforts, but because of Christ. God with us. Have you trusted Emmanuel? Do you know Him as your Savior? Jesus is God with us incarnationally and how vital that is for our redemption. But I must hasten to add that Jesus is God with us continually. Jesus is God with us continually. Before our Savior ascended, he told his disciples, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Even unto the end of the age, I'm with you. The author of Hebrews reminds us that our Savior has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Jesus is God with us in that he has taken upon himself human flesh and walked among us, tabernacled among us to live and die for us. But Jesus by his spirit is with us, those who believe always. Never to leave us, never to forsake us. Always. Perhaps this is something that someone needs to hear today. The heights of accomplishment. Jesus is with us. He is the one who has helped us and he is even present perhaps in that moment to humble us. reminding us that it is not our own greatness, but his. But in our hour of temptation, when the great enemies of our soul, the world, the flesh, and the devil would throw at us all that they have, when the very forces of Satan are assembled against us, Jesus is God with us. If God be with and for us, who can be against us? In the brokenness of sorrow, He is with you. And many of you in the last year have known incredible times of sorrow, but He is with you. In fact, commenting on Psalm 90 in verse two, Spurgeon said, you know, Psalm 90 speaks about the fact that God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of need. Therefore, will we not fear? Spurgeon said that he is nearer than the trouble itself. Sorry, that's Psalm 46. I got my Psalms mixed up. Psalm 90 is, Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Pardon me. 46. He's with us. nearer even than the trouble itself. In the brokenness of sorrow, He is with you to comfort you. In times of testing, He is present with you to give grace for every trial. And maybe some of us right now are knowing a time of incredible testing, and you don't understand which Reminds us that in times of perplexity, he's with us. Christ, the wisdom of God, he's with us. In times, I might say, of depression, he's with us. Even when the child of light walks in darkness and sees no light, The light of the world is with you. And the weariness of life, when it seems like you just can't put another foot in front of the other, he's with you. He is the one in whom true rest is found. In times of doubt, he is present. He is present to hear our cries, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. He's present. When we rest and when we rise, he's with us. When it seems as though the struggle will never end, he is with us, in us, the hope of glory. In every situation, brothers and sisters, He is not simply a casual observer. Right? It's nice to have someone with you, but sometimes people with you, the only thing they can do is cry with you. And that's nice enough. We can appreciate that. But how much more profound it is that God is with us and He is working in every situation for our good and for His glory. Does that mean we're going to understand it all? No, it doesn't. And I want to disabuse some of you because there are some of you think that, well, I might not understand it now, but I will by this time next Thursday. Some of these things will not be resolved on this side of the Golden Shore. But that does not mean that he is not at work. Doesn't mean he's not present. In times of trouble, it's an invitation to trust him. He is not simply a casual observer, weeping and wringing his hands as though there's nothing he can do. He is powerfully with you and working in you. All of this to remind us that Jesus is God with us continually. Let us seek him and let us trust in him. And in those unresolved complexities of life, know that they shall be resolved. You may not understand until you kneel before that throne one day. But he is good. He is wise. And he is God Almighty. He is, as we will perhaps next week look, Isaiah 9, 6, he is the mighty God. Jesus is God with us continually. Oh, brothers and sisters, seek him, trust him. But I have mentioned that when it seems that the struggle will never end, that Jesus is with us and in us as the hope of glory. Which reminds me, brothers and sisters, that Jesus is not only God with us incarnationally, and God with us continually, but Jesus is God with us eternally. Colossians 1.27 is the passage which I have been referring to. And Paul tells us that Christ in us is the hope of glory. And so maybe it would be helpful for us to look to that final scene. Why don't we look ahead to encourage our hearts this morning, Revelation 21. He is God with us incarnationally having taken upon himself human flesh so that we might be saved. He is God with us continually. And he is God with us eternally. Just as a point of reference, at the beginning of Revelation chapter one, Jesus would say to John, do not be afraid. I am the first and the last. That'll be relevant as we read this passage. I'm going to read verses one to six, Revelation chapter 21 verses one to six. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea than I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away. And then he who sat on the throne said, behold, I make all things new. And he said to me, write for these words are true and faithful. And he said to me, it is done. I am the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. I read this passage and I am reminded of the hope that lies before us. That the God who was with us incarnationally and is with us continually will be with us eternally in an even more profound sense, in an incredible sense. We will be forever with the Lord. Conditions of this glory that awaits us are quite incredible, are they not? Every tear wiped away. No more death. No more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain. All of these things passed away. But the most glorious thing about glory isn't just these conditions. The most glorious thing about glory is not that everything's wonderful in terms of the circumstances. The most wonderful thing about glory is Christ, without whom none of these things would be possible. You know, brothers and sisters, maybe like me, you are really tired this season. I mentioned before reading about a report that used the term languishing. Most people, as a result of all of COVID and its restrictions, are languishing. Maybe that's a good word for your circumstances. I don't know. There's a whole lot more than COVID that's been going on in a lot of our lives as well. I want to remind you of Christ's love to you and that he has come taken upon human flesh so that you might be saved. I want to remind you of his love for you and his presence with you and that he is always with you now. But I also want you to look to the finish line. I want you to keep running because Jesus will be with you forever. He will bring all things to pass. He will make all things new. He can say it with such certainty that we read looking forward to him saying, it is done. It is finished. The same words that Jesus would say on the cross, right? It's finished. A slightly different meaning in the sense that at the cross, that certificate of debt with its decrees against us was taken out of the way, nailed to the cross, it was paid in full. Here, as we look forward to eternity, it is done, or it is finished, means that his perfect plan has come to pass. He has brought all of human history to its desired end, and he will be forever with his people. We will experience the immediate presence of our God forever. What a glorious time awaits us. This is a weak illustration, but it's all I got for you today, so stay with me. When I was a kid, I had a gym teacher that I've mentioned before, that on his best days, I wondered if he was saved. It was a Christian school. On his best days, I wondered if he was saved, and on his worst days, I wondered if he was demon possessed. He was that kind of a guy. And he would take us to this park in Barrie called Sunnydale Park. And we would have to run around the perimeter of that park. And it wasn't just a tiny park. It was a large park. We'd have to run around the entire perimeter of that. Now, as if that were not bad enough, this gym teacher would run behind us. And he had these metal-cleated rugby shoes. And of course, you couldn't get away with this today. It'd be in the papers everywhere. But he would, if you were straggling and falling behind, he would run up and kick you. You know, in that area where the Board of Education is applied to the seat of knowledge. Get us going. And I remember, I hated those runs. But I would just keep in mind, OK, here's where we started. I have to get all the way around to there. When I get to that point, it's all over. I'm not going to get kicked with rugby cleats. I'm not going to have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I'm going to get there, and I can lay on the ground. I can drink water. I can heave. I can puke, or whatever it is I need to do at that point. It's over. It's done. And so seeing that finish line kept me going. Because I knew if I stopped at any point before that, it was going to be a mess. There was, in a way, a joy that was set before me as I looked ahead to that finish line. Now listen. If reaching the starting point of a circular run around the park kept me going, how much greater? Can the awareness that Christ awaits us keep us going for that finish line? When He's there, in that final hour, in that final day, we will rest eternally. No fears, trials, sorrows, Satan are going to be running behind and kicking us. We will be forever with Him. Jesus is Emmanuel. God with us incarnationally, God with us continually. and God with us eternally. And so we pray, and we say, even so, come Lord Jesus.