BaptistWay Bible Series for Christmas: Jesus, God with us

BaptistWay Bible Series for Christmas: Jesus, God with us focuses on Matthew 1:18-25.

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It’s been said, “There has been only one Christmas—the rest are anniversaries” (W.J. Cameron). The first Christmas was one of the most important events in human history, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Today, we read out of Matthew, which tells the story of Jesus’ birth to emphasize Jesus as the Son of God and the prophesied Messiah. “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’—which means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:22-23).

This prophecy was made 700 years before Jesus was born. Clearly, Jesus’ birth was part of a master plan developed by God ages earlier. Why? Let’s read some of the Old Testament prophecies and see:

God loves us and wants to be with us

Isaiah 7:17—“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

This is the Scripture Matthew references in verse 23. Notice it says we can know for certain Jesus is God’s son since he was born to a virgin. This miracle is God’s sign.

Notice also God calls him Immanuel, or “God with us.” If you think about it, being with us was God’s purpose from the beginning of creation. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve walked with God every day, enjoying his presence. When they sinned, we lost that privilege.

But God felt the loss more than we did. So he sent his son, Jesus, to live with us and show us what it means to be a child of God. Because he never sinned or disobeyed God, Jesus was able to die for our sins, exchanging his righteousness for our sinfulness.

By doing this, Jesus gave us the gift of God’s presence, the greatest Christmas gift ever. But it all started with God’s gift of Jesus on that first Christmas morning.


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Jesus is the light that dispels the darkness of this world

Isaiah 9:2—“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

John 8:12—“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

Living in darkness is like walking blindfolded. You can’t see where you’re going, so you’re easily disoriented and confused. Even small obstacles can trip you up. Outside the presence of God, there is only darkness. Without God, we don’t know right from wrong. We aren’t wise. And we’re easily led astray.

“God with us” means we can take off the blindfold and see where we’re going. We can put on his righteousness and make wise decisions. We can put off our selfishness and begin blessing one another. We can experience real joy and peace.

If we believe, our sins are forgiven

Isaiah 53:5-6—“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

John 3:16, 18—“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life … . Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

Only a blood sacrifice could wash away our sins. Before Jesus, the Israelites sacrificed a lamb each year as atonement for their sins. Not just any lamb, though. A perfect lamb. When John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God, he confirmed that Jesus is our perfect lamb, whose sacrifice on the cross washed away our sins.

Now, if we believe Jesus is God’s son and accept his gift of life, it’s as if we never sinned. Paul says we have become children of God.

The meaning of Christmas

God promised a Savior centuries before Jesus was born. It had been so many years, though, people had stopped believing. But God always does what he promises. The baby Jesus we celebrate is the promised Messiah. He’s the perfect gift from a God who loves us enough to give up heaven and die for us.

As you celebrate Christmas, remember God’s most precious gift, his son, Jesus. If you’ve accepted him as your Savior, he lives in your heart. That’s “God with us” on a whole new level.

Food for thought

What does Christmas mean to you? Does “God with us” speak to you personally? Share your thoughts with at least one person this holiday season.


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