Trusting God’s Care
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Key Verse: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Selected Scripture: |
THE KEY VERSE IS A prophecy written by Isaiah hundreds of years before the time when Jesus would be born into the world as a perfect man. Moved by the Holy Spirit of God the prophet also reveals a specific name which would identify this special child as our Lord Jesus. This promise was confirmed by Matthew when he wrote about the blessed event to take place. He also revealed the meaning of the name in which he said, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”—Matt. 1:23
The significance of the name Immanuel, ‘God with us,’ is manifest evidence that God’s blessing truly was with the children of men. Our Lord’s birth was a great step forward in the plan of reconciliation for the sins of the world. “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Heb. 2:9) Jesus was a marvelous gift from the Heavenly Father to the poor, sin-sick human family.
Jesus had many names, or titles, that serve to describe various aspects of his wonderful nature and purpose. During the time of his prehuman existence he was known as the ‘Word’ of God. John says, “And the Word [Logos, Greek] was made 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.”—John 1:14
According to the flesh Jesus said, “I am the root and the offspring of David.” (Rev. 22:16) This special reference to the seed of David points to the origin and development of David as a type in the Scriptures—including the typical promise, “I will give you the sure mercies of David.” (Acts 13:34) He also said, “I am … the bright and morning star.” (Rev. 22:16) This pertains to his presence prior to when “the Sun of righteousness [shall] arise with healing in his wings.”—Mal. 4:2
Our Lord Jesus was the only begotten “Son of God.” (John 10:36) He has been the “advocate” to the faithful members of his church during the present Gospel Age (I John 2:1), and he will be the “mediator,” together with his faithful bride, of the New Covenant which will bring blessings to all the families of the earth in his glorious kingdom.—Heb. 12:24
Isaiah provides even further dimension to some of the aspects of his name as well as the powerful office he will assume in the kingdom. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”—Isa. 9:6
The whole family of mankind will come to love and worship the only name “under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) They will learn to trust God’s providence and care over the human family in providing Jesus as their ‘everlasting Father.’ He will, together with the Church as his bride, bring mankind up to perfection in the Millennial Kingdom.