The Nearness Of God

“And they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” - Matthew 1:21

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There is nothing more wonderful than this fact: God is with us. Not simply that God thinks of us, or speaks to us, or guides us, though He does all of these things. The message of the incarnation is that God is with us in the most literal sense. The eternal Son has taken our humanity. He has entered our world, lived in our conditions, experienced our trials, and borne our griefs. We can speak of God with complete confidence because He has come among us in the person of Christ. The invisible has become visible, the infinite has drawn near, and the holy God has walked upon the earth.

This is not merely a truth for the mind; it is a truth for life. To the troubled believer, Christ says, “God is with you.” To the lonely soul, Christ says, “God is with you.” To the sinner burdened with guilt and shame, Christ says, “God is with you.” The incarnation proclaims that God does not stand at a distance waiting for man to climb up to Him. Instead, He bends down in grace so that we may know Him. We are no longer left to imagine what God is like. In Christ we see the character of God, the love of God, and the compassion of God embodied.

Let us never think of God as far off when He has drawn so near. Christ did not. come into the world merely to visit but to remain with His people forever. The one who was called “Immanuel” is still Immanuel. He is present by His Spirit, present in His Word, present in His church, and present in the hearts of His people. This is the source of the Christian’s confidence, strength, and peace — God with us.

(Taken From Martin Lloyd-Jones' sermon "God With Us")