As we move into the Christmas season, a sign I often see out the front of churches is, “Immanuel, God is with us.”
This phrase comes from the first book in the New Testament, Matthew, Chapter 1 verse 22 & 23. The full verse reads 'Behold, the virgin (referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus) shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us)”. This proclamation reminds each of us that our loving Saviour Jesus is not a distant God, but in fact is very near to each of us.
How reassuring it is to hear these words, that God is with us, He is near. The Apostle Paul makes this same statement in the New Testament Book of Philippians, Chapter 4, verse 5, where he wrote, “Let your gentleness be evident to all as The Lord is near.”
Some Biblical scholars have interpreted the Apostle Paul's words to mean that Jesus is near, in that His return to earth is imminent and we can look forward to this with eager anticipation. Paul constantly sought to lift the eyes of followers of Jesus heavenwards so that they could live their lives in the light of Jesus our Saviour’s final arrival on the scene. He endeavoured to strengthen the morale of followers of Jesus with the conviction that the next important event to settle human destiny would be the return of Jesus Himself!
At the same time, Paul’s words of “the Lord is near” can be interpreted that we can know Jesus’ presence in our lives here and now! Maybe the Apostle Paul deliberately lets the ambiguity stand.
Whether or not the Apostle Paul had in mind the words of the psalmist when he said, ‘The Lord is near’, we cannot tell, but he certainly echoes words such as these: “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” (Psalm 145:18)
What a source of encouragement it is to know that we can live confidently in the nearness of the Lord. This nearness is not only limited to Christmas. It is an everyday experience each of us can have. As we commence each day with the students with a spiritual devotion, our hope and prayer are that through the devotion time, they can know and experience Jesus, Immanuel, who is with us.