June 15

Immanuel.—Isaiah 7:14.

THAT this title was designed for Jesus, is obvious, from its direct application to him, when the angel of the Lord announced to Joseph, the conception of Christ, and the name by which he should be called. (Matthew 1:20-23.) The word signifies, "God with us." The title obviously includes the proper Deity of Christ, and this accords with the striking distinctions, illustrious perfections, and glorious works which are in other parts of the Divine word, ascribed to the Saviour. In him it is said, "Dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." And that he thought it not robbery to be "equal with God." But the title includes more than his Divinity, it is "God with us." God in our nature. God enshrined in a tabernacle of human flesh. God incarnate, partaking of all the essential principles of humanity. Not God in his essential character, but God in his Mediatorial relationship to sinful man. Not God in the heights of celestial majesty, and in the effulgence of heavenly noontide glory, but God on earth, God with man, living in our world, walking in our streets, our kinsman, and our friend. Not God arrayed in the vestments of pure and strict justice, with his warlike bow, and his glittering sword, but God in all the matchlessness of love, and mercy, and compassion. God, concerned for the restoration of his erring, ruined creatures, and executing means, whereby they should not be expelled from him, Immanuel, God with us, God on our side, and against our adversaries. God delivering us from our misery and sins. God evincing unparalleled love to us, and inconceivable solicitude for our eternal salvation. How endearing is this title to the true believer! Christ is one with the Father, by virtue of his Godhead, and he is one with us, by virtue of his humanity. A Saviour filling heaven with his glory, and yet stooping to the earth in the depths of his mercy and love. As Immanuel, he is with sinners, as a sufficient and willing Saviour. He is with his people on earth, as their hope and joy. And he is with the blood-wash'd spirits in heaven, as their great and everlasting reward.