“They shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23
Again, as you gaze upon the mystery, consider what an ensign of good will this must be to the sons of men. When the Lord takes manhood into union with Himself in this matchless way, it must mean good to man. God cannot mean to destroy that race which He thus weds unto Himself. Such a marriage as this, between man and God, must mean peace. War and destruction are never thus predicted. God incarnate in Bethlehem, to be adored by shepherds, foretells nothing but “peace on earth and mercy mild.” O you sinners who tremble at the thought of the divine wrath, as well you may, lift up your heads with joyful hope of mercy and favor, for God must be full of grace and mercy to that race which He so distinguishes above all others by taking it into union with Himself. Be of good cheer, O men born of women, and expect untold blessings for “unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.” If you look at rivers you can often tell from where they come and the soil over which they have flowed by their color. Those which flood from melting glaciers are known at once. There is a text concerning a heavenly river which you will understand if you look at it in this light—“He showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Where the throne is occupied by Godhead and the appointed Mediator, the incarnate God, the once bleeding Lamb, then the river most be pure as crystal and be a river, not of molten lava of devouring wrath, but a river of the water of life. Look to “God with us” and you will see that the consequences of incarnation must be pleasant, profitable, saving, and ennobling to the sons of men.
Again, as you gaze upon the mystery, consider what an ensign of good will this must be to the sons of men. When the Lord takes manhood into union with Himself in this matchless way, it must mean good to man. God cannot mean to destroy that race which He thus weds unto Himself. Such a marriage as this, between man and God, must mean peace. War and destruction are never thus predicted. God incarnate in Bethlehem, to be adored by shepherds, foretells nothing but “peace on earth and mercy mild.” O you sinners who tremble at the thought of the divine wrath, as well you may, lift up your heads with joyful hope of mercy and favor, for God must be full of grace and mercy to that race which He so distinguishes above all others by taking it into union with Himself. Be of good cheer, O men born of women, and expect untold blessings for “unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.” If you look at rivers you can often tell from where they come and the soil over which they have flowed by their color. Those which flood from melting glaciers are known at once. There is a text concerning a heavenly river which you will understand if you look at it in this light—“He showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Where the throne is occupied by Godhead and the appointed Mediator, the incarnate God, the once bleeding Lamb, then the river most be pure as crystal and be a river, not of molten lava of devouring wrath, but a river of the water of life. Look to “God with us” and you will see that the consequences of incarnation must be pleasant, profitable, saving, and ennobling to the sons of men.
God With Us, Sermon 1270, 1875 - Charles Haddon Spurgeon
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