"The Immanuel Gospel"

Pastor Kory's Page - December 2025

We recently began a new Church Year. Our congregation follows a 3-Year Lectionary, which refers to an organized plan of Scripture readings which flow through the life of Christ each year. Year A of the Lectionary especially focuses on the Gospel of Matthew. In light of that, I’m also choosing to focus on Matthew’s Gospel this year and during other upcoming seasons of the Church Year such as Epiphany and Lent.

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a detailed family genealogy of Jesus. Surprisingly, though, Matthew goes to some lengths to point out to the reader that Jesus’ family tree is filled with many rotten branches! You can read Matthew’s account of Jesus’ genealogy for yourself in Matthew 1:1-17. Jesus’ own lineage demonstrates how He lives up to the name that is bestowed upon Him in Matthew’s Christmas story: “She [Mary] will bear a son, and you [Joseph] shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus had a relatively common name for a Jewish boy: Yeshua. However, in His case, this name pointed to His identity and mission. He is the Lord God Himself come into our world not to condemn it, “but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17). 

In addition to our Lord’s personal name, Jesus, Matthew uniquely highlights another name from the Old Testament and applies it to Jesus. Matthew continues, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’ (which means God with us)” (Matthew 1:22-23). Here, Matthew is quoting Isaiah 7:14, part of a prophecy which was originally delivered to Israel’s wicked king Ahaz. Matthew dusts off this 700-year-old passage and appropriately shows how it is fulfilled in the Person of Jesus. He alone is truly God With Us. 

In one of my favorite aspects of Matthew’s Gospel, he chooses to conclude the entire book with Jesus’ promise which corresponds to His name given in 1:22-23. We often call these closing words the Great Commission: “Jesus came and said to [the disciples], ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” As Jesus taught His disciples between His resurrection and ascension, He promised that He would always be our Immanuel, God With Us! What a comfort it is to know that your Immanuel is with you, not just around Advent and Christmas when we remember Jesus’ birth and these special names, but all through the year and all through your life – Jesus Christ abides with you, just as He has promised.

In the coming year as we continue to look closer at Matthew’s Gospel, we’ll see how Matthew has a close relationship with the Old Testament. (He refers to it more than any other New Testament writer.) Matthew also features large swaths of Jesus’ teaching. Bible scholars note five extended “discourses” in this Gospel, most notably the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7. Matthew’s Gospel also proclaims the fact that God’s kingdom or “reign” has come down to us in the Person and work of Jesus. I look forward to considering this and much more as we hear Matthew’s words in the coming weeks and months!

In closing, I just want to point out a theme for this year (which is printed at the top of your weekly bulletin): “Called to Discipleship.” Just as our Lord called Saint Matthew and many others to follow Him, He continues to call us as His baptized people to do the same each day. 

The Lord bless you this Christmas and through the New Year as you follow Him faithfully!

In Christ,

                        Pastor Kory Janneke