13/10/09

The 'Christ' factor

Colossians 3:1 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.


A long time back a Muslim brother (I call him brother because he believes in Jesus) asked me a question regarding the prophesy of Jesus being Messiah (Savior) Isaiah 7:14.

The scripture says that the name of the Messiah would be Immanuel but the name given was Jesus (means 'Jehovah is salvation' or 'God our savior'), which means Jesus is not the Messiah.

It was just a few days back that the Lord gave me the revelation of this.

The word 'Immanuel' is a Hebrew word which means 'God with us' or 'with us is God'. It is made of two words, the first word's root is 'hide or dim' and the second word stands for 'God'. So the word basically means 'God who reduced Himself' which means 'God became man'. The word Immanuel talks about the 'man'.

When I went through both the scriptures Isaiah 7:14 and 8:8, I noticed one surprising thing; there was a Hebrew word which followed Immanuel which none of the translations I saw translated. That word was 'EL'.

The prophesy was that the name of the Messiah would be 'Immanuel El'. As we know the word El means God. So the scriptures /prophesy talks about 'God who became man and God upon Him'. Which in Greek was the word 'Christ' and this prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus (Matthew 1:16).

When the Angel prophesied that Jesus would be called 'Emmanuel' (Matthew 1:23) it was part of the prophesy by Isaiah. The Angel prophesied that the world would see the 'God' factor in man Jesus.

We as Christians should show the world the 'Christ' factor in our every word, action and deed like Jesus showed the 'God' factor in Him. When we imitate Jesus who became the corner stone and is now seated in Heaven, at the right (righteous) hand of God, we become one with Him and He who was perfect is perfected in us.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Father God, in your mercy You send us your Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. To confirm Him beyond all doubts You gave numerous signs before his coming and fulfilled all in Him. He in his every word, action and deed confirmed You in Him. Lord Jesus, like You showed who You were, help us by your Spirit to show You in us, since we are born again in You...

We make this prayer in your mighty Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (EL).

Isaiah 8:7-8
7 Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
8 And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel (EL).

Matthew 1:16
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Matthew 1:23
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Hebrews 5:9
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Ephesians 4:13
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

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