Bible Study - Name - JESUS Our Emmanuel - Isaiah 9 and Matthew 1 - December 23, 2012
Bible Study – Name – JESUS Our Emmanuel – December
23, 2012
This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled,
“What’s in a Name?”
Our scripture is Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:18-25.
As we are approaching Christmas, we need to know
that December 25 is not the birthday of JESUS. Bible scholars think HE was born
either in the fall or possibly early spring. The important point is that HE was
born just as Old Testament scripture prophesied. The Prophet Isaiah wrote the scroll of Isaiah about
732-722 B.C., which is the first scripture in our study. Prophesy recorded by
the prophet Micah about 742-687 B.C. found in Micah 5:2 pinpoints where CHRIST
would be born:
2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small
among the clans of Judah; One (JESUS) will come from you to
be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from
eternity. (JESUS is eternal. HE was with GOD as part of the Trinity when the
world was created and man formed.)
Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” JESUS is the bread
of life. Bread sustains life and those who have faith in CHRIST are sustained
eternally.
Emmanuel means “With us is GOD” or as most of us
have heard “GOD with us.” JESUS willingly came to earth to be born as a human,
to live and give HIS sinless life to pay in full the penalty for sin. HE left
HIS eternal home in heaven and HE left HIS Glory behind. HIS desire was to be
fully human and totally dependent upon the Father for all HIS needs. HE had an
arsenal of angels HE could call upon at any moment but if HE had, it would have
nullified the plan and purpose of GOD. JESUS had to go through the circumstances
HE encountered. Would HE rely upon HIS own power or the power of the Father? As
mentioned later, in essence JESUS was born a Spirit filled Christian but HE was
capable and subjected to temptation. HE remained sinless, therefore the perfect
sacrifice to pay in full the penalty for sin.
The proof that HE accomplished HIS mission is that
GOD raised HIM from the dead. JESUS is GOD with us experiencing all that we as
humans experience. JESUS fully understands what it means to live as a human and
what it means for us to be tempted. That is why GOD placed all things under HIS
control and all authority including final judgment. That is why JESUS could say
with confidence in John 5:24:
24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word
and believes Him who sent Me has eternal lifec and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to
life.
Faith in CHRIST is the key to eternal life and not
being judged. Christians will be given rewards based upon their obedience to
being led by the Holy Spirit. These rewards will be given in heaven and will
consist of gold, silver, precious stones and crowns to name a few.
Let’s read Isaiah 9:6-7: (Written over 700 years
before CHRIST was born.)
6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us,k ; ; ; ; and the government will be on His
shoulders.l ; ; He will be named Wonderful Counselor,m Mighty God,n ; ; Eternal Father,o ; Prince of
Peace.p ,; ;
7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.q ; ; He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of •Hosts will accomplish this.r
7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.q ; ; He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of •Hosts will accomplish this.r
GOD revealed through the Prophet Isaiah the coming
of the Messiah and HE would be the ideal King. The Messiah would come as a
child born as humans are born and HE would be a gift from GOD. We know from Micah
that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. This prophesy was written over 700
years before CHRIST would be born as a human. HE would be born 100% human and
100% Divine. HIS ultimate purpose was to establish the Kingdom of GOD. HE would
be the ideal King because the government will be upon HIS shoulders. HIS name reveals
HIS character and attributes. HIS kingdom begins the instant a person asks
CHRIST to forgive him/her for their sins and ask HIM to come into his/her life.
CHRIST rules the hearts and lives of all who have faith in HIM but HIS ultimate
rule will come when HE establishes HIS Kingdom upon earth.
HE shall be called:
-
Wonderful Counselor – HE performs
wonders and gives ideal counsel.
-
The mighty GOD – HE is mighty like a strong
and powerful warrior. HE will rule over
all aspects of life including the power over death, disease and forces of
nature to name a few.
-
The everlasting Father – The Messiah was
one with the Father. HE is eternal just as the Father is eternal, thus insuring
the protection and care for all who have faith in HIM.
-
The Prince of Peace – HE has the
authority to bring peace which includes physical peace and Spiritual peace. Peace
means more than the absence of conflict but carries the idea of completeness.
When Christians yield their lives to the leadership and guidance of the Holy
Spirit it allows the Holy Spirit the freedom to work within a Christian’s total
being – flesh and Spirit – to bring harmony, assurance, power, enlightenment,
full relationship, fellowship, purpose, understanding and the list goes on as
Christians journey with CHRIST. Human rule is with force but CHRIST will rule
with righteousness.
When Isaiah wrote this, the Israelites were facing a
threat from Assyria and later Judah would be facing the Babylonians. Isaiah was
giving them hope that GOD was in control and GOD’S will, would be accomplished.
This is something Christians must keep in mind when they face various
challenges in life. GOD’S will, will be done. HE is sovereign. The sovereignty
of GOD is very difficult to process when we see the tragic situation that took
place last week with the killing of those sweet, precious children in Connecticut.
GOD did not cause it and we know that HE did not prevent those who were killed
from being killed. They may have given their lives to prevent many others from
being killed.
When our precious son died, our Pastor told me. “Welcome
to a club I wish no one had to join.” Our pastor and his wife lost a son in
death a few years ago. He said, “You will ask “why” but there will not be an
answer.” He was correct. I have asked “why” many times and come back to the
same point, GOD is sovereign and I have to trust HIM. HE has a plan and a
purpose in all things. HE used the death of our son to bring home to me the
love that HE has for those who reject CHRIST.
HE brought to my mind the love I have for our son
and how much we miss him. Death has separated us temporarily from him until we
join him in heaven. HE brought to mind a very clear message, “Now you can
understand HIS love and heartbreak for all who are separated from HIM because
they refuse to accept CHRIST as their Savior.” Those who reject CHRIST are dead
to GOD because their sins separate from HIM in eternal death. HE brought to
mind John 3:16-18:
16 “For God loved the world •in this way: He
gave His •One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not
perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the
world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved
through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone
who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the
name of the One and Only Son of God.
We live in a sinful world and Christians know the
truth but we have compromised our witness and stand as Christians.
The best is yet to come. CHRIST has completed phase
one of the process to establish GOD’S Kingdom permanently upon earth. GOD
reveals through the Prophet Isaiah the magnitude of HIS Kingdom:
7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.q ; ; He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of •Hosts will
accomplish this.r
Isaiah referred to the “Lord of Hosts”, which means
HE is Commander in Chief over all – the universe, armies, the heavens and all
who dwell in HIS heavens. HE is not a passive Commander in Chief but HE is
passionate and zealous. HE is jealous and will not share HIS children with
anyone else or things. HE, in turn, expects HIS children to be committed only
to HIM. Let’s fast forward over 700
years to the birth of JESUS, the promised Messiah.
Let’s read Matthew
1:18-21: (Matthew the tax
collector and one of JESUS’ disciples wrote his gospel to the Jews. He began by
showing how the genealogy of JESUS traced back to King David which was
important to the Jews. JESUS genealogy is copied at the end of this lesson for
those who care to read it.)
The Nativity
of the Messiah
18 The birth of Jesus
Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been •engaged to Joseph,
it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy
Spirit.w
We know that to be engaged during that
period of time was more binding than for an engaged couple today. In Jewish
marriages, the parents of the bride or a match-maker most often arranged for
their children, when they were young, to marry.
The next step was, if the girl was
willing to continue the process to marriage, the couple became engaged or
“betrothed.” The betrothal generally lasted one year. During this brothel
period the couple was considered man and wife but they did not live together.
If the couple decided to terminate their betrothal during this time, they had
to get a divorce. If all went well after the betrothal period, they were
married. The husband took his wife to their home and consummated the marriage.
Mary and Joseph were engaged but no
sex. Mary became pregnant. Our next
scripture revealed that Joseph was a righteous man. He was an honorable man and
he would not do anything to bring dishonor to Mary.
Joseph’s conclusion, Mary must have had
sex with another man. Just think about the situation both were in. GOD had some
explaining to do to ease Joseph’s mind about Mary.
19 So her husband
Joseph, being a righteous man,x and not wanting to
disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.y
Joseph had several options. He could reveal
Mary’s condition to others. If he did then there was a good chance she be would
stoned to death, which was the sentence for adultery. But he decided to secretly
divorce her. This way she would be spared possible public humiliation. GOD
knows our hearts and HE knew Joseph’s heart and what he was pondering. HE had
to inform Joseph.
20 But after he had considered these things, an
angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of
David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been
conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.z
GOD sent an angel to reveal truth in a
dream. Dreams were one way GOD communicated with people. The angel revealed
truth to Joseph.
Mary conceived JESUS by the power of the Holy Spirit. Why
was this necessary? Let’s ponder Genesis 3:15:
15 I will put hostility between you
(Satan) and the woman, and between your •seed and her seed (JESUS). He will
strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
JESUS was the product of her seed. The Holy Spirit
was the divine sperm. When Adam sinned, he died Spiritually. Sin placed a barrier
between them and GOD because GOD being righteous and Holy, HE cannot look upon sin.
GOD’S intent was for mankind to live eternally. GOD gave mankind the freedom of
choice. GOD established the one requirement, “You are free to eat from any tree
in the garden except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the day
that you eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will die.” Adam
did not die physically at that moment but he died physically later. Adam lost the
eternal relationship and fellowship he had with GOD. GOD fashioned clothes made
out of skins for them to wear. They lost the ideal conditions of the Garden of
Eden.
Because of the original sin, GOD had to make the first
animal sacrifice. The shedding of the blood of the animals covered their sin until
CHRIST gave HIS life by the shedding of HIS blood to pay in full the debt for
sin. GOD drove them out of the Garden of
Eden and placed a cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard
the tree of life.
If they had eaten the fruit from the tree of life,
they would have lived eternally in this fallen condition. Their only hope for
redemption was through faith in JESUS. Moses wrote Genesis about 1450 B.C. The
point being, GOD’S plan of redemption was already part of HIS plan for mankind
before HE formed the world. Redemption would apply to Adam and Eve as well to
all who have faith in CHRIST.
HE knew every person who would ever exist before HE
created the world. You were in the heart and mind of GOD before HE created the
world. Since GOD is the creator of all, once in HIS mind, you became a reality
waiting for the right time to be conceived and born as a human.
JESUS was born 100% human and 100% Divine. Although physically
separated from the Father, HE was still had a Spiritual relationship. HE had eternal
life because HE was conceived by the Holy Spirit. When any person receives
salvation, he/she is conceived by the Holy Spirit and he/she is born into GOD’S
family. In essence, JESUS was born a Christian because HE was indwelled by the
Holy Spirit.
JESUS, even though HE was born a Christian, was
fully capable of sinning because of the sin nature passed along by being 100%
human, yet 100% Divine. CHRIST remained sinless as a human without evoking
supernatural power. HE completely obedient to GOD, HIS Father. HE was tempted
in all ways as humans are tempted but HE did not sin.
This is no different from the person that accepts
CHRIST as his/her Savior and experiences the miracle of rebirth. A Christian is
fully capable of sinning, yet he/she is covered by the blood of JESUS and remains
sinless. JESUS’ blood had to be shed for the remission of sins. JESUS had to be
sinless for HIM to be the perfect, acceptable sacrifice to pay, in full, the
debt for sin required by GOD.
GOD’S love for all people compelled HIM to allow HIS
Only Son to come to earth and give HIS life for the sins of the world. Through
the passion of CHRIST, all who will believe in CHRIST are redeemed from eternal
death and restored to the full relationship and fellowship with GOD as HE
originally intended. Christians have the assurance of GOD being in their lives
by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The angel continued to assure Joseph that GOD
had chosen Mary for HIS special plan and purpose.
21 She will give
birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus,ab because He will
save His people from their sins.”c
Mary would have a son and Joseph was
to name HIM JESUS. JESUS means Savior and it was common for parents to name
their boys Jesus because during this period parents were looking for the hope
of GOD’S deliverance. JESUS, the Son of GOD would be more than hope, HE would
be the source of salvation and deliverance from sin.
Let’s read Matthew 1:22-25:
22 Now all this took
place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,d
which is translated “God is with us.”e
23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,d
which is translated “God is with us.”e
The angel was quoting from the Prophet Isaiah. Let’s read
Isaiah
7:14:
14 Therefore, the
Lord Himself will give youn a sign: The
virgin will conceive,o have
a son, and name him Immanuel. pq
Bible scholars believe this prophesy
had a dual purpose. Short term the Jews related this scripture to the birth of
Hezekiah but long term it was prophesy for CHRIST.
24 When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as
the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married herf
25 but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son.g And he named Him Jesus.h
25 but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son.g And he named Him Jesus.h
Joseph was a righteous man and
he was obedient to what had been revealed to him through the angel. He did not
have sex with Mary until after JESUS was born but after the birth of JESUS, they
did have normal sexual relations which resulted in other children being
conceived and born to them as revealed in Matthew 13:55:
55 Isn’t this the
carpenter’s son?i Isn’t His mother called Mary, and His brothers James,j Joseph,k Simon, and Judas?l
56 And His sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does He get all these things?”
56 And His sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does He get all these things?”
The Bible reveals that JESUS’ brothers
did not believe in HIM before HIS crucifixion and resurrection but after HIS
passion they became passionate believers in HIM as their Savior. Let’s take a
quick look:
John 7:1-5: (Before the crucifixion
and resurrection of JESUS.)
1 After this, Jesus
traveled in Galilee,a since He did not want
to travel in Judeab because the •Jewsc were trying to kill Him.d
2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernaclesefg was near,
3 so His brothersh said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your worksi that You are doing.
4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”
5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)
2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernaclesefg was near,
3 so His brothersh said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your worksi that You are doing.
4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”
5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)
Let’s read Acts 1:12-14 (This is after
the death, resurrection and ascension of JESUS. JESUS had instructed them to
wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would reveal all truth
to them. The indwelling Holy Spirit reveals all truth to Christians. But you
have to become a Christian before the Holy Spirit indwells you.)
12 Then they returned
to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near
Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13 When they arrived, they went to the rooml upstairs where they were staying:
Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.m
14 All these were continually unitedn in prayer,o along with the women, including Maryp the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.q
13 When they arrived, they went to the rooml upstairs where they were staying:
Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.m
14 All these were continually unitedn in prayer,o along with the women, including Maryp the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.q
JESUS is GOD’S only plan to redeem all
who have faith in CHRIST as their Savior. It is a simple plan, yet so hard for
many to take that step of faith. There is no better time than now to accept
CHRIST as your Savior and enter into HIS Kingdom for eternity. Doing so will
restore the relationship, fellowship and eternal life that GOD intended before
sin resulted in eternal separation from GOD and eternal Spiritual death.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and bountiful
blessings to all!
May this be the beginning of a
wonderful new life in CHRIST empowered and led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Genealogy
of Jesus Christ
1 Thea
historical recordbc
of Jesus Christ, the Son of David,d
the Son of Abraham:e
From Abraham
to David
2 Abraham fatheredf Isaac, Isaac
fathered Jacob, Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers,g
3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Aram,h
4 Aram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon,
5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse,i
6 and Jesse fathered King David.
3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Aram,h
4 Aram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon,
5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse,i
6 and Jesse fathered King David.
From David to
the Babylonian Exile
Thenj David fathered Solomon by Uriah’s wife,k
7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, Abijah fathered Asa,l
8 Asam fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram,n Joram fathered Uzziah,o
9 Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, Ahaz fathered Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, p Amon fathered Josiah,q
11 and Josiah fathered Jechoniah and his brother sat the time of the exile to Babylon.r
7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, Abijah fathered Asa,l
8 Asam fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram,n Joram fathered Uzziah,o
9 Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, Ahaz fathered Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, p Amon fathered Josiah,q
11 and Josiah fathered Jechoniah and his brother sat the time of the exile to Babylon.r
From the Exile
to the Messiah
12 Then after the
exile to Babylon Jechoniah fathered Shealtiel, Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, Abiud fathered Eliakim, Eliakim fathered Azor,s
14 Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, Achim fathered Eliud,
15 Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, Matthan fathered Jacob,
16 and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth tot Jesus who is called the •Messiah.u
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, 14 generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, 14 generations.v
13 Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, Abiud fathered Eliakim, Eliakim fathered Azor,s
14 Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, Achim fathered Eliud,
15 Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, Matthan fathered Jacob,
16 and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth tot Jesus who is called the •Messiah.u
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, 14 generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, 14 generations.v
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