6-27-2026 God is with us
He shall be
called Emmanuel, God is with us – Emmanouel G1694) and His name shall be called
Jesus (Matt. 1:20-25)
The name "Jesus" originates from the
Hebrew and Aramaic name “Yeshua” (a variant of Yehoshua). Meaning
"Yahweh is salvation" or "the Lord saves", this name
encapsulates identity and divine purpose. Across linguistic and historical
shifts, the name evolved into its modern English form:
Hebrew/Aramaic: Yeshua (ישוע)
Koine Greek: Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς)
Latin: Iesus
English: Jesus
Joseph was
of David’s lineage (Matt. 1:6-15) . (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_(name))
Mary was a
cousin to Elisabeth (Luke 1:36) and
Elisabeth is identified as a daughter of Aaron (Luke 1:5) implying that Mary was also a descendant (a cousin to
Elisabeth) of Aaron. Joseph was in David’s lineage (Matt. 1:6-16) though Jesus wasn’t Joseph’s biological son, he was
still considered a first born son (Matt.
1:25) as Joseph took Jesus as his own son thus giving Jesus both royal (through
David) and priestly (through Mary, being related to Aaron) heritage
In the
beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and he Word was God. (John 1:1). John goes on “The same was in the beginning
with God. All things were made by Him
and there was nothing made without Him.
In the Word was life and the life was the light of men. The light shined in the darkness and the
darkness didn’t comprehend it (John
1:2-5). The Word is the Light and became flesh as the
only begotten Son of God (John 1:14).
I’ve shared
some background on the meaning of the name of “Jesus”. Hopefully, this helps us understand a little
bit more.
In “Let’s
Get a Handle” (blog 5-2-2026) I pray that we got the understanding that God is
LOVE, agape love. This is an all caring
about our welfare kind of love with tenderness, guidance and correction. He cares so much for us that He gave Himself
for us (on the cross) and even has breathed His life into us via the Holy
Ghost. He truly loves us. All we have to do is ‘truly’ love Him back by
following His direction tkhrough living in this Word.
Love
us? Paul tells us that Jesus said He
would never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.
13:5-6), yet we still have to believe and accept this to be true (Mark 11:24) in our own lives. Father loved Jesus as Jesus loves us so we
need to continue in that love (Mark
15:5:9).
So how do we
express our love God? The ‘beatitudes’
help us to understand this.
Matthew 5:3-12.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This doesn’t mean poor as in penniless but that to understand that
in and of ourselves, we are nothing.
Jesus provides (Phil, 4:19)
for us all that we have from and through His love. We totally depend on the Lord, yet remember
Father blesses us through our obedience (Luke
11:28).
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
When we lose something, a loved one or even a cherished possession,
Father gives us comfort for our loss (1 Corinth.
1:3). Here, to mourn is he Greek
word pentheo (G3996) which is to
mourn or wail. We are deeply hurt over
our loss and God will comfort us, help us to feel ‘better’ though we have lost
something precious.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Meek is the Greek word praus
(G4239) which is humble. Being
humble is not considering ourselves better than those around us. We are all a creation of God which puts us
all on the same level. We need to remember
this, no matter how successful we become in this life.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for
they shall be filled.
Hunger and thirst. Hunger
is the word peino G3983) which is to famish, crave or be really hungry for. The Greek word for thirsty is dipsao (G1372) which implies a great
thirst for a drink. Righteousness is dikaiosune (G1343) which is
justification or righteousness. In other words, we live our lives to please God
as though our very lives depend upon it for truly it does. Father will help us to accomplish the tasks
that come before us. And living righteously
(in God’s standards) keeps us in the good graces of Father.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Merciful is the Greek word eleemon
(G1655) which is merciful or compassionate.
Not just feeling sorry for but caring truly enough to do something to
help others and, as he passage says, God will help us. Paul reminds us that whatever we do should
edify others (Eph. 4:29).
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Pure is the Greek word katharos
(G2513) which pure, clean or clear.
This does not mean ‘never sinned’ (Only Jesus fulfills that
description), but when we do sin, we confess that sin so that there is nothing
that is not covered by the blood Christ in our lives. That means not sinning in what we think as
well as in what we do (Matt. 5:28)
and then confess and repent (1 John
1:8-10).
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of
God.
Peacemakers is the Greek word eirenepoioe
(G1518) which is peacemakers or peaceable.
In other words don’t look for a fight but try to find a non-violent
solution for everything that comes our way.
When we are at peace with others, we have peace in our own heart.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Persecuted is the Greek word dioko
(G1377) which is to pursue, press toward or persecute. The priests and
Pharisees had commanded people to tell them if they knew where Jesus was (John 11:46-57). They pursued Him, without giving up, all the
way to the cross.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and
shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Persecute and revile, oneidizo (G3679) the Greek word which is
revile, taunt, upbraid or reproach. Did
not those, at the high priest’s house, strike Jesus before taking Him to Pilate
(Matt. 26:65-68)? And isn’t the cross the ultimate abuse the
Romans could inflict upon someone (Mark
15:15-38)? Even Pilate realized that
the church leaders envied Jesus (Matt.
27:18-24) and yet he had Jesus scourged (whipped) (John 19:1-3).
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Satan is the prince and power of the air (Eph. 2:2) as God cast him down to the earth (Rev. 12:9), so, (in this world) he influences much of what men of
disobedience do.
Yet, as
believers, should the world similarly administer afflictions upon us, should we
not rejoice that the world has found us worthy to treat us the same as
they treated the prophets and Jesus.
BUT, also as
with Jesus, who was raised into glory, won’t we be raised with Him into glory –
forever? As we love and live in our Lord
Jesus, is our life not hid with Him in the Father? If so, won’t we appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:1-4)?
The
“Beatitudes” are a guide to our way of life in this world. We have comfort in knowing that Jesus is
always with us – no matter how good or how bad life seems. Paul tells us to run the race and expect to
win (1 Corinth. 9:24). The path is straight and narrow and there are
few who enter in (Matt. 7:13-14). In crossing that finish line, we all win – eternal fellowship with
our Lord and Savior (Rom. 6:23)!
Amen
