“Immanuel”—God WITH US!

Matthew 1:22–23 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name “Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (NKJV)

“They know not!”

Luke 23:34a. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (KJV)

When we read this, our initial thought is that Jesus was forgiving them for WHAT they were DOING, which was crucifying him. But to God, even more important than the “WHAT,” is the “WHY” of our sin, which He stated as: “They know not what they DO.”

It was no coincidence that as He spoke these words, physical DARKNESS was surrounding the crucifixion scene on Mount Calvary (Mat. 27:45, Mk. 15:33, Lk. 23-24), as a physical manifestation of the spiritual DARKNESS that was surrounding and blinding the minds of the people so they would know not WHAT they were DOING, so they would know not WHAT God was DOING.

This insight sets the stage to open our eyes to see that DARKNESS is still doing the same thing today by keeping us “in the dark” from knowing WHAT we are DOING against the Lord, to keep us “in the dark” from knowing WHAT God is DOING. For 35 years I was part of that worldwide majority of spiritually blind “good persons” that have no clue they are SINNERS, and even less of an idea that they are heading full speed into hell. I can’t tell you how shocked I was when a friend had the courage to tell me the truth! You see, the greatest weapon of DARKNESS is “blinding the minds” of people for so long that when LIGHT comes, they cannot recognize it.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the LIGHT of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Cor. 4:3-4).”

In the natural world there are “blind cave fish” which have lived in complete DARKNESS for so many generations in underground caves, that their species no longer have eyes to see. But our God loves us so much that He will visit us with light in our own dark “underground cave” and then create new spiritual eyes in us to see the LIGHT.

DARKNESS’ Biggest Weapon—IGNORANCE!

Remember, a biggest weapon of DARKNESS is ignorance—causing us to know not WHAT we have DONE (our sin against God) and know not WHAT God is DOING (cleansing our sin to make us one WITH Him). When we first come to Christ, we don't have a clear understanding of WHAT God is DOING to build the relationship He wants to have WITH us.

Instead, we may think He has come to take care of us and be there to meet our every want and need. We’ve heard of people talking to God and told that God answers prayer, so we begin by giving Him our full wish list. Eventually, when we figure out that God is not waiting in heaven, ready and willing to do whatever we ask, at that point, when this disappointing revelation finally sinks in, we typically have two distinct choices: (1) we can become discouraged and think prayer doesn't work, become offended at the Lord, stop talking to Him, and return to our old life, as many have; or (2) we can seek Godly council from seasoned spiritual leaders, humbly repent, and regularly press deeper in prayer, worship, and the Word of God.

I remember shortly after Jesus became Lord of my life and delivered me from my destructive lifestyle, He said, “You’re free, but now you have to ‘work it’ to stay free.” DARKNESS had given way to LIGHT, then I realized I was now on God’s “One Step program” where relapse was not an option or an expectation because the Creator of the universe was inside me, “working it” WITH me—He has a part, and I have a part, working together, doing life and ministry together! I cleaned out my house physically and spiritually and have been “working it” with Him for over forty years with great peace, rather than chaos.

A Challenge:

The Lord gave me a challenge for you: If you have been asking God for something for a long time and haven't received it, here's something to try: ask Him what your part is in working together with Him to bring it to pass?

A Necessary Balance

There is a necessary balance to “The Lord working WITH us” and that is the revelation of “Us working WITH The Lord.” This is highlighted in the story of the Prodigal Son. The Father had two sons, both of whom were working together WITH their Father until the younger son left to live independently. When that selfish independent life failed, as it always does, the son decided to repent and return home to work FOR his Father as a servant.

Luke 15:17–19 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ (NKJV)

And while this was part of the repentance process, this was never the Father’s will for us as His sons.

Final Conclusion in Mark’s Gospel

Mark 16:19–20 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working WITH them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (NKJV)

This final sentence in Mark’s Gospel should also be the summation and final conclusion of our ministry, our professional life, our family life, and our personal life, since we met Jesus and began walking WITH Him. From man’s beginning in Genesis, God’s plan was that we would become His loving family upon whom He could pour out all His love. We are that family. The Lord has done His part. Now it’s time to do our part and pour out His love on one another and then together, pour His love out on a lost and dying world. Hallelujah!