WHY WASN'T JESUS CALLED IMMANUEL

One of the most interesting and misleading things written in the New Testament was written by the author of Matthew when he took a small section of Isaiah chapter 7 and attempted to show the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of a prophecy.

Matt 1

“ … and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

The basic issue of this OT scripture is that Isa 7:14 doesn't have anything to do with Jesus in the first place.

The child was born, called by the name Immanuel by his mother … back in the OT times … and the Assyrians defeated the two kings who threatened Ahaz and his people. The prophecy was fulfilled long before the author of the book of Matthew claimed that Jesus fulfilled it.

Now, Here is the prophecy about Jesus according to the author of the book of Luke:

“… And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”

Note: Mary's child was to be called Jesus, not Immanuel. This verse was retrofitted to indicate something that was not going to fit, and to indicate that Mary’s child would in fact be next in line for the long awaited Messiah. Remember that the Hebrew name Immanu'el, means 'God with us.'

Now, the reason why “Jesus Christ” was used as the identification of Mary’s child.

The central personage of Christianity is called Jesus Christ, but this is not his birth name, it is an acquired title.

The name "Jesus" is derived from an Aramaic (ancient Hebrew) word, יהשוה Yeshua or Jehoshua, which means "saviour." Thus, the original use of this term is as an honorific title.

Likewise, the word "Christ" is not a personal name. Christ is derived from the Greek Christos, “the Anointed One,” and Krestos, whose esoteric meaning is “fire.” The word Christ is a title, not a personal name. Same goes for the Egyptian Krestus, and the Hindu Krishna. It is a title.

Nonetheless, the man who was known by the title Jesus Christ certainly had to have earn it. Yet, two thousands years of sectarian and political conflicts and power struggles have distorted the original story.

Question everything … find the answers.

Just a thought ...

Justin Taylor, ORDM., OCP., DM.