Rev. Joel Benson

In the first chapter of Matthew's Gospel we hear a name for Jesus “Emmanuel” which means God is with us. This indicates the kind of Savior he is to us.

One who is in the flesh with us, his sisters and brothers. One who is with us in all the messiness and majesty of life.

As we read through Matthew's Gospel, what kind of people was Jesus with?

He was with: sinners, helpless and harassed people, lepers, people with disabilities of all types — physical, mental and emotional, and with children. In short Jesus was with people not considered valuable or worthwhile.

Jesus was God with these people and others by healing, listening and teaching by sharing forgiveness, grace, mercy and love.

It is our calling to follow Christ's example to be with those who are outsiders, the helpless and harassed of our day to listen, ask for and share forgiveness, and share the love and grace of Christ.

At the end of Matthew's Gospel in the 28th chapter, Jesus says as he gets ready to ascend that “I will be with you to the end of the age.”

A promise to be with us to the end — not part of the way or just when things are good. But to the end through all the messiness and majesty of life of all time.

A God who is with us, in this age, as 2020 fell apart with a global pandemic, economic struggles, isolation and the racial divide exposed.

A Savior who is with us in health care workers, scientists and researchers working on treating those who have COVID-19 and coming up with cures, treatments and vaccines.

A God who has been and will continue to be among us as counselors, social workers and pastors listen to the helpless and harassed in these days — sharing words of love, mercy, grace and forgiveness.

A God who leads us to build bridges of understanding, grace and mercy with love.

Emmanuel is with you, with us all in the messiness and majesty of life. And He will be with us forever with forgiveness, grace, mercy and love.

The Rev. Joel Benson is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Butler.