Names of Jesus: Emmanuel

Names of Jesus: Emmanuel

As we explore the names of Jesus that teach us about Him as the Son of Man, Emmanuel is a vital name to know. It’s a beautiful name we often hear in Christmas carols, we see it in both the new and old testaments, but what does it mean? Today we will explore what the name Emmanuel means, how it applies to us, and how Emmanuel impacts our faith.

What does Emmanuel mean?

Jesus’ name Emmanuel means “God with us”. The Greek emmanouēl (G1694) identifies Jesus as God, Jesus uniting man with God, and that God was dwelling with man. The Hebrew ʿimmānû’ēl (H6005) is the prophetic name for the Messiah. In the Old Testament, we see this name given for the One who would be born of a virgin to be the savior of the world, and that His name would be Immanuel, God with Us.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23 NKJV

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.[a]

Isaiah 7:14 NKJV

The name Emmanuel emphasizes the nearness of God to His people. Throughout scripture, we are given insight into what it means that God is with us, when He is with us, and what it means for each of us to have God with us.

• Greek – emmanouēl  G1694
  • the title applied to the Messiah, born of the virgin,  because Jesus was God united with man, and showed that God was dwelling with man

• Hebrew – ʿimmānû’ēl H6005
  • symbolic and prophetic name of the Messiah, the Christ, prophesying that He would be born of a virgin and would be ‘God with us’

What does it mean for God to be with us?

For Jesus to have the name “God with Us”, means God was with us in the physical body while He lived on earth, but we also see Jesus promise He will always be with us. Not only was He with people when He lived on earth, but He is with us always, wherever we go, to the end of the age.

14 The Word became flesh and dwelt[a] among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son[b] from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 CSB

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal with God, 
7 but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:5-7 NKJV

Jesus is not physically here in body with us now, but He is still with us. When we choose to believe in Him, our faith gives us direct access to God. Jesus bridged the gap between God and His people so that we may be reconciled to God through the blood of Emmanuel. When we are reconciled to God through Emmanuel, we are given His Spirit – a constant indwelling of God within us.

18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of[a] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 
20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,[b] I am with you always,[c] to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 CSB

When we receive the Holy Spirit, we have God’s own Spirit within us, and He is with us wherever we go. He helps us, guides us, and instructs us as we do the work God has given each of us to do. God created each of us through, by, and for Immanuel.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or [a]principalities or [b]powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Colossians 1:15-17 NKJV

We were all created by Jesus’s power and authority, through Himself, and for His purposes. We were not made to be separate from God, but rather God created us for Himself. We were made to be with Him. Sin separates us from our Holy God, and Jesus was sent to earth to dwell among us and die a horrible death to pay the penalty for the sins of the entire world so that those who believe in Him as their Savior would be reconciled into a personal relationship with God, which we were designed for. By entering into a relationship with God through the spilled blood of Emmanuel, God’s Spirit indwells us and begins the process of making us holy and set apart for God and the works He has called us to.

14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 ESV

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 ESV

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How can having faith in Emmanuel change me?

When we have God within us through the gift of His Holy Spirit, we begin to see the world through His eyes rather than our own. We are made new in Him by our faith because of His grace. As He changes our perspective, He also changes our hearts, our minds, and our nature.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27 ESV

3 You keep him in perfect peace

    whose mind is stayed on you,

    because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV

Through faith in Emmanuel, we are also granted His peace that surpasses understanding. He tells us all over scripture that we have no need to be afraid, and that He will be with us and give us peace – true peace that truly satisfies. Through His peace, we find strength. With Christ in us, we can tap into His peace and also His strength, so that no matter what we go through we can get through it with Him. We will face troubles throughout our lives, but His peace and His strength granted because of our faith by His grace will help us to endure every trial.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 ESV

13 I can do all things through [a]Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

As we endure, we will get stronger in our faith, and deeper in our dependence on God. We will learn to be patient with His timing and instruction and trust that whatever He chooses to provide is for our good. We will learn to hear Him and see Him all over our lives, and as we keep our focus on Him, guarding our hearts and minds in Him, He will continue to be with us and guide us to the end of the race, and into the eternal promises that await those who believe in Emmanuel, God with Us.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 
2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

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