Embracing the theology of Immanuel in the new year

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:17)

We have just entered Epiphany, the season of Immanuel/Emmanuel (“I” in Hebrew, “E” in Greek). In Hebrew, im means “with;” nu means “us;” and el is the generic word for “God.”

The word “Immanuel” summarizes my basic theology. I believe that God’s loving desire to be with us is the goal of creation. God revealed himself as Immanuel in his name given to Moses (“YHWH,” understood as a promise of his presence, not just his being). Isaiah gave this sign to King Ahaz as assurance and promise (Is. 7). Matthew celebrates Immanuel at Jesus’ birth and at the end of the Gospel: “I am with you always” (1:23, 28:20). The Gospel of John declares, as Eugene Peterson translates it, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood” (1:14, The Message). 

El and Us

I usually put the emphasis on el, which means God. This is what God has done, is doing and will do. It is not “me.” If Christians reduce the gospel into an individualistic “Jesus and me” love story, we miss the corporate and cosmic dimension of the gospel that Paul emphasizes in Colossians and Ephesians.

Second, I like to emphasize the “us.” God’s love and desire are for all people, expressed by Jesus’ commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Paul also wonderfully celebrates this in Ephesians, especially 2:11-22. We are called to a renewed mission of peace within the church and the world.

Third, “God with us” is a radical picture of the church. I am saddened that the church has done horrible things, but still God has graciously chosen to live with us and through us. God, through his Spirit in the church, has also done many amazingly good and gracious things, especially in caring for the hurting, the hungry and the healing. The church has led significant advancements in creation and culture. The reason we grieve the errors is because God has set before us, in his Son and his people, his way. Christ calls his church to repentance, renewal and reunion.

‘With’ means love

“With” is my favourite preposition. “With” is a definition of love.

“Immanuel” is part of temple theology. This theology is pervasive in Scripture, but hard for many Christians to grasp. The tabernacle and temple represented God’s presence with his people. John says that the Word literally “tabernacled” among us (Jn. 1:14). The church building is not a temple, but the church as the people of God is. We are the presence of God in his world.

“With” is now. God is with us now, and we are Immanuel in the world because of the gift of God’s Spirit. This is what it means to glorify God. It is not just to praise God. It is to present and represent God’s presence in the world. We are to be God’s hospital and hospitality in the world. 

May the refrain lyrics of “For Good,” the last song in Wicked: For Good, be true for us, for the church, and for all around us. “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

This is Immanuel.