God With Us
April 11 | Rick Thiemke
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Matthew 1:22-23; 28:19-20
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus is King!
Today, the good news is that the Kingdom of God is here now, in Jesus. In Jesus, God’s Kingdom was inaugurated, disclosed, accomplished and made present on earth. The Kingdom is what guides all of the content of the gospel writers. Someday (in the New Creation) the Kingdom will be fully established on earth as it is in heaven. So it is already here, but it is not yet fully realized. As the gospel writers proclaim the climatic events of redemptive history, it is with a call to respond. Follow King Jesus!
God Loves To Dwell With His People
The theme of God dwelling with His people is woven from the beginning to the end of Scripture. It starts with God dwelling with man in the garden. After human rebellion separates God and man, God dwelt with His people in the tabernacle and later the temple. Matthew records that Jesus entered human history. Our first text tells us His very name will be, Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). John tells us, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory” (John 1:14).
And when Jesus’ Kingdom fully comes on earth as it is in heaven (in the New Creation), we are given a glimpse of what it will be like: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). There is no God like our God. He longs to be with His people!
Sense His Presence
Do you long to be with the Lord? Do you take time each day to acknowledge His presence with you? Do you place your life again and again in the vine that gives you life? Are you following His life, His teachings and His ways? Do the ethics of His upside-down Kingdom shape your actions, your relationships and your very life? Apart from Him, you and I can do nothing.
A.W. Tozer said that, "most Christians are theological Christians." He said they are attempting the impossible. "They're trying to be happy without a sense of the presence." How tragic! God gives us the great gift of His presence. You can only experience His power, His grace and His presence by following Him as a disciple. We should declare that Jesus is King by submitting to His lordship every day. This transforms us!
In our second text, Jesus said, "I will be with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). The Holy Spirit is our 24/7 counselor. He is always on call. Before you get up in the morning and after you go to bed tonight, He will be interceding for you! The Holy Spirit is present in the world and in our lives. He makes us new creations. Welcome His continuous filling in your life. He empowers you to live all of life, all for Jesus!
Discussion Questions
What does it mean to you and your life that Jesus is King?
What are the best ways to be discipled in the teachings and ways of Jesus?
What does it look like for you to spend time in the presence of God?