The King’s Birth: Immanuel

Every December, we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet His birth was unlike any ordinary birthday—it was marked by miracles that continue to fill our hearts with wonder.

Throughout this December season, we have been exploring the deeper truths surrounding Jesus’ birth. Over the past two weeks, we reflected on Mary’s faith, Joseph’s obedience, and the journey they took together, seeing how heaven’s good news transformed ordinary lives forever. We also looked at how this good news moved from Heaven to Earth through the shepherds, who became the first to proclaim the message of Christ.

This week, our focus turns to the birth of the King. The New Testament declares Jesus as the (Revelation 19:16) “King of kings and Lord of lords” At His birth, the Magi asked, (Matthew 2:2) “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?”. Each of the four Gospels presents a unique perspective on His birth:

• Matthew presents Jesus as the King, written especially for Jewish readers.

• Mark reveals Him as the Servant, written for Roman readers.

• Luke portrays Him as the Son of Man, written for Greek readers.

• John proclaims Him as the Son of God, written for all people everywhere.

Abraham’s Promise and Our Spiritual Identity

Jesus’ genealogy begins with Abraham for a reason.

[Matthew 1:1 NIV] 1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

God’s covenant with Abraham promised:

[Genesis 12:2-3 NIV] 2 "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

God remembered this covenant when Israel groaned under Egyptian bondage

[Exodus 2:24 NIV] 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.

In the same way, we are bonded to Sin and slaves to Sin, as Abraham descendants he wants us to save us so that we become the spiritual Israelite.

Faith breaks the bondage of sin. In Christ, we become spiritual Israelites, heirs of God’s promise.

[Galatians 3:7, 29 NIV] 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ... 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Regardless of the religion we are associated with, we are all descendants of Abraham, called to be a blessing to the people of the earth. One of Satan’s lies meant to deceive people from following Christ is the claim that Jesus is a “foreign God.” In truth, Jesus is the only true God, and the hope of mankind is found in Him alone.

Why Did God Choose the Human Route for Salvation?

God could have chosen any method—but His justice and wisdom required a specific path.

Death Entered Through Man (Adam’s Sin) — Life Must Come Through Man

 [1 Corinthians 15:21-22 NIV] 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

• Adam, the first man, brought sin and death.

• Jesus, the Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), brings life and resurrection.

Because sin entered through a human, redemption had to come through a human.

Jesus Took Flesh to Defeat Death

 [Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV] 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

We are helpless because of our flesh and blood; we sinned in first place. The flesh is weak Jesus understood that. Because of the weakness in flesh the devil used it to his advantage to make us all fall to Sin thru temptation, as we fall we become slaves to Sin.

Jesus entered that same battlefield:

• He shared our humanity

• He faced temptation

• He broke the power of death

• He defeated the devil on our behalf

What Adam lost, Christ restored.

Grace Revealed in the Genealogy: Four Broken Women

Jewish genealogies traditionally listed only men, yet Matthew intentionally includes four women—each with a painful past.

Tamar

• [Matthew 1:3 NIV] 3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,

• We read the history of Tamar story in Old Testament in (Genesis 38:1–30)

• Disguised herself as a prostitute to preserve Judah’s lineage.

Rahab

• [Matthew 1:5 NIV] 5 (a) Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab

• We read the history of Rahab story in Old Testament in Joshua 2 & Joshua 6

• Rahab was a Canaanite woman and a prostitute in Jericho. Despite her background, she played a pivotal role in helping the Israelites capture Jericho.

Ruth –

• [Matthew 1:5 NIV] 5(b) Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

• We Read the Book of Ruth on about Ruth / Naomi  

• Ruth was a Moabite widow who entered God’s covenant through loyalty and faith.

Bathsheba

• [Matthew 1:6 NIV] 6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,

• We Read about Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 / 12 and 1 Kings 1 on her role to place Solomon to Kingship

• Bathsheba was associated with David’s moral failure, yet included in the Messianic line.

All four women were sinners, and Jesus’ birth through this lineage shows His mission to redeem even the most broken lives—from their generation to ours.

They were chosen not for perfection, but for Grace.

Three Names That Reveal the King

1. Jesus – The Savior

 [Matthew 1:21 NIV] 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

• The name Jesus means to save His people from their sins—this is His central mission: to break the bondage of sin.

• He is our Savior, able to rescue anyone—regardless of background or religion—from spiritual slavery.

• Joshua, meaning “Jehovah is salvation,” was a common Jewish name; in Greek, the name is rendered as Jesus.

2. Christ / Messiah – The Anointed King

[Matthew 1:16 NIV] 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

• Jesus is more than a name—it defines His mission.

  • o   The Anointed Redeemer

  • o   The Promised Deliverer

• He is called the Messiah, which means “the Anointed One.”

• Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit, beginning with His conception by the Holy Spirit.

• He is the fulfilment of God’s promise to send a Savior—the anointed King, Redeemer, and Son of God.

• When people call Him “Jesus the Messiah” or “Jesus Christ,” they affirm that He is the long-awaited Deliverer foretold by God.

3. Immanuel – God With Us

 [Matthew 1:23 NIV] 23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

• Jesus is neither a foreign god nor a man-made concept.

• He is God Himself who came to dwell among humanity—“God with us.”

• He is a God who desires relationship and fellowship with His people; therefore, He is rightly called Immanuel.

• The name Immanuel is not new—it was foretold in the Old Testament:

  • [Isaiah 7:14 NIV] 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

  • [Isaiah 8:8 NIV] 8 and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it and reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, Immanuel!"

• Jesus and Immanuel refer to the same person—the Savior who is God with us.

What the Birth of the King Means for Us

The birth of Jesus is not merely a historical event we remember every December—it is God’s personal invitation to humanity.

Jesus was born as a King, yet not into a palace. He entered a broken world, a flawed family line, and human weakness—not to condemn, but to redeem people like me and you. His genealogy tells us something powerful: no past is too sinful, no life too broken, and no bondage too strong for His grace.

Through Abraham, God promised blessing to all nations. Through Jesus, that promise is fulfilled. We are no longer defined by our background, failures, or religious labels. By faith in Christ, we become heirs of God’s promise and citizens of His Kingdom.

Jesus took on flesh because humanity was helpless in sin. Where Adam failed, Christ triumphed. Where death ruled, Jesus brought life. Where fear enslaved us, Jesus broke the chains. The King was born so that we might be set free.

His names reveal His heart toward us:

• Jesus — He saves us from our sins

• Christ (Messiah) — He is God’s anointed Redeemer

• Immanuel — He is God with us, near us, and for us

Jesus is not a foreign god or a man-made idea. He is God Himself who came near, longing for relationship and fellowship with His people.

Jesus did not come merely to be admired or celebrated once a year—He came to reign in our hearts. Salvation is not earned by works or religion, but received through faith and surrender.

Just with a simple prayer.

Lord Jesus, I receive You as my King and Savior.

Come into my heart, forgive my sins, and save me.

Redeem me from where I am and lead me to live according to Your will.

I surrender my life to You—please come and transform me. Amen.