He shall be called Immanuel

Advent 4, 2019

Isaiah 7:10-17

“He shall be called Immanuel” 

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

  

 

          “Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?” (Isaiah 7:10-13)

          It sounds like Ahaz is being righteous while Isaiah is overreacting. A little knowledge of Ahaz will help with this confusion.

          For 16 years Ahaz was the epitome of evil. Among his many misdeeds, Ahaz not only sacrificed to idols, he even sacrificed his own son to idols. As a result, Ahaz was handed over to the Syrians, and many of his subjects were taken captive to Damascus. Despite this, Ahaz refused to repent to God for his sins. As he continued to sin, his people (the Kingdom of Judah) continued to suffer. In one day, 120,000 of his soldiers were slaughtered by Pekah, king of Israel. Following the carnage, Pekah gathered 200,000 women and children from Judah and was intent on enslaving them before God sent a prophet to intervene. Because God intervened Pekah released these 200,000. In spite of this act of compassion by God, Ahaz still refused to repent and trust in the Lord.

          God’s love and patience for his people is very evident in the History of Israel. God brought them out of captivity from Egypt. God fed them with Manna and Quail in the wilderness for 40 years. God gave His people the 10 commandments, promised them a land of milk and honey, promised to watch over them, love them, protect them, make them a great nation, and send them a Savior. God gave them military victories over larger and greater armies and nations. God gave and His people ignored, rejected, and forgot. God promised Ahaz protection from his foes and offered to give Him a sign. The very sign Isaiah offers on behalf of God in our text. But Ahaz rejected. Ahaz didn’t want this sign or any sign…he didn’t want for there to be proof that the Lord was God, Ahaz didn’t want to be obligated to believe in the Lord. Because of Ahaz the entire nation of Judah suffered.

          All of us have days that are miserable. All of us suffer, have doubts, and wish for a sign from God to let us know everything will be ok. When thinking about the want for a sign I am often reminded of the movie “Bruce Almighty.” In the movie Bruce was fired from his job, had a huge fight with his girlfriend, and everything kept going wrong. He asks God for a sign while driving down the road. He passes all kinds of road signs, including a truck filled with them, that say “stop,” “wrong way,” “do not enter,” and “turn back”. But Bruce ignores and rejects those signs.

          It seems that while we all want signs from God…we look for signs of our own choosing. Very often we ignore God’s plans and try to put our own plans at work. Every once in a while we feel the effect of disaster in our world. It is at these times that we see the “signs” of this age in the wrath of hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and terrorism. At times of great need…people try to find God. But when things don’t go the way we want them to we question God and His love for us.

          Like Ahaz, when we sin and keep on sinning we hurt not only ourselves but those around us. How often our own sinfulness leads to fights with our spouses, parents, and children. How often our sinfulness breaks hearts and causes others to lose hope. How often does our sinfulness cause others to lose faith and fall away from God? The truth is sin kills! But maybe if there were just a sign in our lives than we would know to stop, to help, to have hope…then things would be so different. But we don’t want a sign…we just want our own desires.

          In the face of sinfulness, rejection, and hopelessness God gave Ahaz and us a sign. This sign was to offer hope. This sign would be for all the people. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Luke 7:14) A virgin bearing a child. A miracle of miracles. But not just any child… this child would be called Immanuel. God with us.

          In the midst of a king and people that rejected the true God; at a time when people prayed or thought god was somewhere else not listening to their cries; to a people that thought God had abandoned them…God promises to send a Savior; Immanuel…God with us. God in the midst of His people. God contending for the people of this world with the people of this world. God here in our presence living and dying. God with us.

          This Christmas and every Christmas is a sign unto you! A Savior has been born and He is Christ the Lord. This Christ would go on to die for you. In fact “While we were still sinners [enemies of God], Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

          As we approach Christmas; look no further for God’s sign of His love for you. Hear the message of the Angels to the Shepherds and to us: “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) As we gather together this Christmas, as we share gifts with our loved ones, as we pray for those less fortunate remember that Christ was born. Share the greatest gift ever…share God’s love found in the wonderful news that in this baby wrapped in swaddling clothes we have forgiveness and life. Rejoice. Immanuel comes. God is with us now and forever. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.