Immanuel. No second class Savior

   In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word (Hebrews 1:1-3). 

    When the greatest tragedies happen in our country, the president arrives on the scene.  He visits amid the aftermath of horrific hurricanes and earthquakes.  He comes personally to see the damage and to hug the people affected by terrorism.

    If a “normal tragedy” has beset a section of the United States, the president sends someone else.  The vice president or a cabinet member is entrusted to convey the president’s sentiments and his commitment to help. 

God came himself to deal with sin's tragedy

    When the Ruler of the Universe looked down on the greatest of all tragedies – the punishment our sin-fueled rebellion demanded – he was not satisfied to send his vice president or another representative of his government to fix it.  He sent no angel or army of angels to correct the problem. He sent no prophet to speak for him. The tragic consequences of our sin were well beyond their pay-grade and power.

    That tragedy demanded God himself act. So God came. The Son of God came to earth. 

    “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son....”

The Son: the Father's exact representation

    But isn’t God’s sending his Son like the president sending his vice president? The Son of God isn’t at all second best. 

    “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

    The Son is the exact representation of the Father. Whatever God the Father is, that is what God the Son is.  The infinite wisdom and eternal existence that belongs to the Father also belongs to the Son.  The measureless love that cascades from the Father flows in abundance from the Son to us.

Immanuel. No second class Savior

    Ours is not a second-class Savior. God was born in Bethlehem’s manager the night Jesus first breathed.  Our Savior lives up to his ancient name. He is Immanuel, God with us.