“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel (God with us).
Isaiah 7:14 (RSV)
Christianity is the only world religion that teaches that God came into the world in human flesh, to have a relationship with us, and just to “be with us.” This is evidenced by one of the titles of Jesus, Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
Christianity is the “God with us” religion. Islam says God calls us to be obedient servants. Judaism says God calls us to study the Torah and steadily learn about Him. Hinduism say the gods call us to offer rituals and sacrifices in order to change our karma for a better next life. Buddhism says that a distant, impersonal God calls each of us to seek a state of Nirvana, through meditation.
Each world religion has some positive takeaways, but it all leaves us with a vague and futile concept of how to please a nebulous, supreme Being. The missing puzzle piece in every other faith tradition is a personal God who desires a relationship with us, so much so, that He calls us to personal friendship with Him.
Christianity is the only faith tradition that offers friendship with God. Our Father in Heaven seeks our friendship through His Son, Jesus, who said:
“I no longer call you servants, but
I now call you friends…”
(John 15:15)
It’s more than a friendship with God, but also a family. The Christian faith fulfills all the relationships that any human being could ever long for. God is our loving Father, Jesus is our Savior, our Friend, and the Bridegroom of His church. The church is a big spiritual family with brothers and sisters, and a community of faith, to come home to.
It’s the reason Jesus taught us to pray in the third person plural, saying,
“Our Father who art in heaven”…. give us this day our daily bread…”
The emphasis is on us, our and we, because the faith that Jesus established, recognizes that we were created to be social beings, part of one big spiritual family.
Christianity goes beyond any
“me and God” relationship. It’s a faith that recognizes that we each have a part in a family and are children of one supreme Heavenly Father, who sent His son in human form, to enjoy friendship with us.
Immanuel has to be the most cherished title of all Jesus’ many titles and names in scripture. Even in the worst of times, He is still the most valuable friendship we have. “God with us” is a rare treasure of the faith, and unique only to Christianity.
Immanuel, God with us, reminds us that He is with us in our joyful celebrations as well as in the uncertain and fearful times. He was with Mary when she asked “How can this be?” and He was with Joseph even when his initial reaction was one of doubt. He sent His angel to speak to both of them, assuring them that God would be with them in the task of being parents to the Son of God.
In the same way, He is with us in our doubts and unanswered questions.
Jesus, who is Immanuel, is with us in the doctor’s office, while we are listening to an explanation of our test results. He is with us in the waiting area, when our loved one is undergoing a serious surgery. He is with us when we feel alone, in the midst of the busiest of holiday season of the year. He is with us when we grieve over loved ones who are no longer with us. He is with us when we are betrayed by someone, because He once experienced that exact kind of betrayal. Things may not always go as we hoped or prayed, but we can be sure that Jesus, is always, always with us.
We are children of our Father, and like any beloved child, we find refuge in Him. We have friendship with Jesus, and have tasted His goodness all throughout our life. God wants to be invited into every dimension of our lives, and He desires that we stay close to Him. He gave us a spiritual family, who share the same Father and know what daily friendship with Jesus is all about.
Lord, we are blessed by your loving faithfulness and in having our Immanuel, God with us, every day. Thank you for making us a part of your family through the church that you established. Amen
