Fellow-Redeemed,
In eternity, God the Father determined to free us from sin’s curse by having his eternal Son take on human flesh; to become a speck of cells in a virgin’s womb and then be born a helpless child. As true man, God’s Son could be the perfect substitute, not only under the law but also on the cross. We know the Son’s response. It was willing obedience to his Father’s plan and wondrous love for sinners far beyond our comprehension.
When the fullness of time came, God from all eternity became true man in Jesus Christ. He did not give up his deity but added humanity He became the God-man, one person, but with both a divine and a human nature. Behind this miracle was the divine plan of salvation. As God, Christ gave the laws; as man, he was subject to them. As the God-man, his perfect keeping of the law now counts for you and me. As God, he could not die; as man, he was mortal. As the God-man, he did die, and his holy, precious blood made sufficient payment for all sins.
About seven hundred years before Bethlehem, God used his prophet Isaiah to put a name on this miracle. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (7:14). St. Matthew quoted this passage with reference to the angel’s message to Joseph about what was going in with Mary’s pregnancy. This evening, We see the proof of that name; and the promise of that name.
One reason few recognized Jesus as “God with us,” is because he usually put aside the use of his divine powers. That night outside the Garden of Gethsemane, we get a glimpse. Malchus, the high priest’s servant, fingering his ear Peter had sliced off with a sword and then Jesus sealed back on by a loving hand, must have wondered, “Who is this Jesus? What divine power!”
The soldiers who came forward with the rope to tie Jesus’ hands must have wondered too. How different the arrest of this so-called criminal was shaping up. They had come with their lanterns to comb the shadows of the garden for a dangerous suspect only to have him walk forward to meet them. They had come ready to fight off his followers only to hear him tell them to put their weapons away. Even stranger, Jesus knocked them suddenly flat on their backs with just an “I am he.” They ended up arresting him, but had they really? It was more Jesus allowed them to arrest him in order to go willingly with them. We recall the words of Isaiah chapter 53, “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (v. 7). Here is proof this was no ordinary man they were arresting. This is Immanuel, the God-man in wondrous love going silently, willingly to the cross.
In verse 4 of our text, St. John tells us, “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’” Jesus knew about the coming cruel punches that would bruise his face. The sharp thorns that would pierce his scalp. The horrible whip that would tear up his back. The heavy nails that would puncture his flesh. The fires of hell that would sear his soul. Yet willingly he let them tie his hands. Jesus chose not to do anything else. This was the almighty Lord, who with one snap of his fingers could have had legions of angels surround him and who with one sentence could have struck all his enemies dead.
In John 10:17, 18 Jesus declared, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” Jesus willing love for us sinners tied his hands tighter than any rope as they lead him off to carry out the Father’s plan of salvation.
Immanuel is his name. We have witnessed proof this name fits. Now we will see the promise of that name.
We begin with the promise of salvation that name contains. Our God is not far off in the heavens, glancing at us from time to time across the miles. He stands before us in his Word with those comforting words: “Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.” He is here in his Holy Supper, giving us the very body and blood that he used to pay for our sins. Our Immanuel has promised to walk among his golden lampstands, the church, believers as we heard last Sunday.
Jesus is “God with us” also in our troubles. He knows what troubles and conflicts are like having suffered many of them himself. Has the death of a loved on caused you grief? “Jesus wept,” at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. Is there a temptation that never seems to leave you alone? He knows. Jesus faced Satan’s relentless attacks not only in the wilderness but also from the beginning to the end of his earthly ministry. Have friends betrayed and forsaken you when you needed them the most? Jesus knows about that, doesn’t he? Not only does Jesus know. He promises to help us in troubles as the God-man who can do anything.
When it is two steps forward and three steps backward on the path of our sanctified living, Jesus knows. When my sinful nature gets the upper hand in daily battle with my new man, he knows. He is there with the promise, “I already have paid for your sins. I remember your sins no more. I will strengthen you through Word and sacrament so that you can walk more closely with me. I am Immanuel—“God with us.”
Jesus will be “God with us” when our last moment comes. When the walk through the valley of the shadows faces us, what comfort to be able to say, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Jesus has walked the path of death before us. Like Jesus, our walk will end commending our spirits into the hands of the heavenly Father
Jesus let his enemies tie him in order that he might untie us from the bonds of service to Satan, and the chains of confinement in hell. With the crimson scissors of his blood, Jesus has cut us free- free from sin and free from death; as well as free to live for Jesus on earth, and free to live with Jesus in heaven.
Holy Spirit, enable us never to lose sight of Immanuel, “God with us,” his name of his wondrous love. Amen.