Prophecy

This statement represents Matthew’s distinctive style compared to the other three Gospels. Throughout his writing, Matthew employs this style several times to show how events in the life of Jesus Christ fulfil Old Testament prophecies—”so that what was said through the prophet might be fulfilled.” Therefore, Matthew wants to convey that the presence of the Lord Jesus did not occur suddenly or without context, but is part of God’s plan, which had been proclaimed beforehand. God does have prerogative rights, but He does not use them carelessly. There is a mechanism, a process, and a background to all events. God is faithful to His own decrees.

As evidence of the presence of the Lord Jesus, this has been communicated since the Old Testament era, notably in Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This statement not only carries theological meaning—divine proclamation—but also eschatological significance, as it is a prophecy about the future.

In “working,” God always lays a foundation before anything is done. God has a sort of blueprint for all His plans. Thus, our existence on this earth is also part of God’s wise planning. Every believer needs to find the reason for their existence in this world—what God’s purpose and intent for their life is. If God has designed the presence of Jesus Christ in this world, then our existence here cannot be separated from His plan. Therefore, we need to realize that our presence in this world is not a coincidence, not merely by chance, and certainly not an accident. Our presence has been designed by God, the Creator of heaven and earth and the entire universe. Therefore, value this life by living rightly before Him.

Matthew sees, through the Holy Spirit, that the text in the book of Isaiah foreshadows the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, called Immanuel, meaning God with us. Immanuel is a title, a function, or a duty attributed to the Lord Jesus in the work of human salvation. He is not just “with us,” but also present, helping, supporting, and dwelling among us. Believers should no longer feel deficient in living their lives in this world because what humanity needs most is God, who is always with us, never leaving, always helping, and never forgetting.

At the beginning of Matthew’s writing, Jesus Christ is identified as Immanuel, and at the end, Matthew reaffirms this. In Matthew 28:20, it is written: “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” God never changes—past, present, and forever—including regarding His presence.

From the moment of our presence in this world until we leave it, God is with us. Whatever the season of our life, He has been there. In the midst of struggles, problems, and life’s storms, God remains present and never departs. John 20:29 states: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The Lord Jesus is the fulfilment of all the teachings of the Law and the Prophets. He is the long-awaited prophecy. Listen to Him!