JESUS AND IMMANUEL: TWO DISTINCT PERSONALITIES IN SCRIPTURE

 

Clarity is essential when reading sacred texts, for understanding grows when we carefully attend to the distinctions Scripture clearly preserves. Before us stand two sacred names, to be approached with the utmost reverence and humility, and it is in that spirit that our contemplation and reflection take root. As we read with care and attention, a more precise and faithful vision emerges: Scripture reveals two distinct personalities- Jesus, the Son of God, and Immanuel, the Son of Man. Recognising this distinction does not diminish faith; rather, it enriches understanding and cultivates deeper reverence.

Isaiah prophesies Immanuel, and he does so with precision. The prophet introduces Immanuel as a sign:

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Again, Isaiah declares,

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6).

Later still, the land itself is addressed as,

“thy land, O Immanuel” (Isaiah 8:8).

Isaiah never names this figure Jesus. Immanuel is presented as God with us—a divine presence associated with authority, territory, and governance. The prophecy stands on its own terms and must be read with that integrity.

This stands in contrast to other prophetic passages that Christians rightly associate with Jesus. In this regard we note that Isaiah also speaks of the suffering servant:

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief… he was led as a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:3, 7).

Here, the emphasis is not on governance or territorial authority, but on rejection, suffering, and selfless sacrifice—themes the New Testament clearly applies to Jesus.

When we turn to Matthew’s Gospel, the angelic message is equally precise. The angel does not reinterpret Isaiah; he delivers a direct instruction from heaven:

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

This is not a symbolic designation but a personal name, expressly given. Isaiah proclaims Immanuel. The angel names Jesus. These are distinct acts of revelation, and Scripture does not present them as interchangeable.

Matthew later writes,

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying… they shall call his name Immanuel” (Matthew 1:22–23).

Here, Matthew offers an interpretive connection. Respectfully, the text itself does not demonstrate that Isaiah explicitly named Jesus, nor does Isaiah’s prophecy require that identification. Matthew assumes fulfilment, but the Scripture he cites maintains its original naming. The distinction remains intact.

The meanings of the names themselves reinforce this clarity.

Immanuel means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14), expressing divine presence and nearness.

Jesus means “the Lord saves,” as the angel explains, “for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Presence and salvation are related, but they are not the same function. Scripture assigns them carefully.

Jesus Himself reinforces this separation. Throughout the Gospels, He repeatedly speaks of the Son of Man, often in the future tense, as one who is to be revealed, glorified, and invested with authority:

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels” (Matthew 16:27).

“Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power” (Matthew 26:64).

This language echoes Daniel’s vision:

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven… And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom” (Daniel 7:13–14).

The book of Revelation removes any remaining ambiguity. Throughout its visions, two personalities consistently appear: the Lamb and He who sits upon the Throne. They are never confused. God Himself cannot fully descend into creation, for the boundless power of the Almighty would overwhelm it. Yet He can send forth a part of Himself into creation, as occurred in the incarnation of Jesus. In a similar manner, God manifested another aspect of Himself as the Son of Man. These are the two personalities revealed in Revelation: Jesus, the Son of God—the Lamb—and Immanuel, the Son of Man—He who sits upon the Throne.

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book” (Revelation 5:1), and “I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne… stood a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). The Lamb approaches the Throne, receives from the One seated upon it, and is worshipped alongside Him (Revelation 5:7–13). The equal reverence and honor shown to both the Lamb and He who sits upon the Throne highlight their shared origin in God the Father, revealing that though distinct in role and manifestation, they are united in divine essence. Distinction is maintained without division, showing both the individuality and the unity in God.

 Jesus also promises the Spirit of Truth, not as Himself, but as another divine presence:

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter” (John 14:16).

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth” (John 15:26).

Seen this way, the Holy Trinity becomes clearer.

God the Father.

God the Son.

God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the Son of God.

Immanuel is God with us, revealed through Jesus as the Son of Man.

Both belong fully to God. Both operate within divine unity. The Son redeems. The Spirit abides. God remains one.

The Trinity of God is not a division into separate beings. God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not separate entities, but belong to God as a unity-much like the arms of a body which may act independently yet remain inseparable from the body itself. Without them, the body is incomplete.

At God’s right hand is God the Son, Jesus- Love! At His left is God the Holy Spirit, Justice! Both emanate from God the Father and belong to Him as one harmonious whole, the Trinity of the one God. This understanding deepens reverence, revealing divine omnipotence, wisdom, and the perfect balance of Love and Justice.

Let us finally discard the habit of seeing Scripture through the lens of inherited assumptions or tradition. The Bible reveals that Jesus, the Son of God, and Immanuel, the Son of Man, are two distinct personalities. Let us prayerfully and in all reverence recognise that these two Sons of God - Immanuel and Jesus are one in the Father, and only in the nature of their work are they two.

WHEN SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED, YET READ THROUGH HUMAN EYES - A Reflection on 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (KJV)

 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.- 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (KJV)

The Bible stands, first and foremost, as a spiritual book. For this reason, it cannot be rightly grasped by the intellect alone. It requires spiritual perception. Where this perception is absent, Scripture may be read fluently, quoted confidently, and yet remain fundamentally misunderstood.

Much of the confusion surrounding the Bible arises from approaches that elevate human reasoning above divine revelation. Intellectual interpretations that subtly enthrone man as the final authority do not draw humanity closer to God; instead, they often obscure the Truth. When Scripture is filtered primarily through human supremacy, it gradually loses its power to reprove, correct, and instruct in righteousness, becoming a mirror that reflects human opinion rather than divine truth.

To those lacking spiritual understanding, the Bible will inevitably remain a book with seven seals. Its words are visible, yet their life-giving essence remains hidden. This is not a defect in Scripture, but a limitation in the reader. Divine truth demands humility, and an openness to be taught, rather than the impatience that seeks to master the text through the intellect alone.

It must also be acknowledged, soberly and without irreverence, that the transmission of Scripture passed through human vessels. The Gospel accounts were preserved by sincere men, yet men shaped by memory, perception, language, and earthly understanding. Many of the words and events of Christ’s earthly ministry were recalled and recorded from memory, inevitably interwoven with human interpretation. In this process, the original spiritual sense of Christ’s words was at times softened, narrowed, or unconsciously reshaped.

This recognition does not reduce the sacred character of Scripture. Rather, it reminds us that divine truth reaches humanity through human instruments. It cautions against rigid literalism detached from spiritual discernment. A few words arranged differently can alter meaning entirely. What Christ spoke spiritually was often received humanly, and later repeated doctrinally.

The account of the rich young man illustrates this clearly. Earnest and sincere, he sought the way to eternal life. Christ’s counsel was direct: he was to distribute his possessions among the poor and then follow Him. To follow Christ meant nothing less than to live in strict alignment with His words and spirit. Yet the bystanders, as in many other instances, seized upon the event and passed it on according to individual perception. Their understanding, though genuine, rarely captured the full depth of Christ’s intention.

At first, the event was simply reported as it occurred. Over time, however, what had been personal instruction was recast as universal law. Yet Christ’s counsel was never intended as a general command. It was addressed to the rich young man alone, whose wealth, though outwardly advantageous, had become an inward restraint. Surrounded by comfort, he lacked the strength to rise spiritually, and his riches stood as a barrier to his spiritual ascent. The wisdom of Christ’s advice lay precisely in this discernment: to remove the specific obstacle that hindered the man’s spiritual progress.

This was not a universal precept proclaimed for all humanity, but a remedy suited to one individual’s condition, and perhaps to others similarly unable to govern their possessions. The later transformation of this personal counsel into a binding rule did not originate with Christ Himself, but with humanity’s inclination to convert spiritual guidance into rigid obligation. Thus, individual instruction became collective rule, shaped not by divine command, but by human interpretation.

The danger, therefore, lies not in Scripture, but in how it is handled. When faith is stripped of reflection and reverence, it declines either into fanaticism or shallow enthusiasm. Both are harmful to truth. Fanaticism resists examination. Irresponsible enthusiasm abandons discernment. Neither reflects the spirit of Christ.

True seekers must cultivate the discipline of earnest inquiry. They must be willing to examine matters of faith humbly, objectively, and prayerfully. Scripture fulfills its purpose not when it is merely defended, but when it is allowed to transform. It reproves us, corrects us, and instructs us in righteousness, not to exalt us, but to prepare us.

Only then does the Word accomplish what the Apostle Paul described: that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

WHICH VIRTUES WILL DEFINE YOU THIS YEAR?

All that is good, all that uplifts the soul, comes from the Creator of all. Virtues are gifts, qualities that shape who we are and how we live. They are not merely admirable ideas. They are forces that demand action. To admire a virtue is to notice its value. To cultivate it is to embody it, to live it in every thought, every choice, every act.

Consider these virtues and the power they hold:

• Fulfilment of Duty: Greatness begins in the smallest acts done faithfully.

• Faithfulness: Be true to your commitments, to those you love, to yourself and to the laws of Creation.

• Heroism: Take courageous  and noble actions, face adversity with courage and calm confidence working victoriously with the Power from above. .

• Chastity: Align thought and action with higher purpose and harm no one who has reposed trust in you. 

• Loyalty: Stand devoted, even when it is inconvenient.

• Productivity: Apply your gifts and talents for meaning and impact beyond yourself.

• Truthfulness: Let honesty guide your path through deception and doubt.

• Grace: Offer kindness freely; it lifts both giver and receiver.

• Modesty and Humility: Be unassuming, know your place and remain open to growth.

• Diligence: Persist with patience and steadfast effort.

• Strength and Courage: Build resilience of body, mind, and spirit.

• Daring and Adroitness: Innovate boldly and act skillfully.

• Genuine Gentlemanliness: Honour, consideration, and purity of intent never go out of style.

These virtues are not reserved for saints or philosophers. They are earned through life, through deliberate choice, through love in action. And not the love measured by wealth, status, or recognition, but pure love that gives itself fully. A love that lifts the weary, guides the lost, and strengthens the weak.

In giving yourself in this way, virtues are forged. Life in virtue is life in service. To grow yourself is to grow others. To help your neighbor is to expand your own heart.

Do not rest merely in admiration this year. Identify the virtues you have yet to master. Seek them deliberately. Practice them daily. Let them take root and flourish.

This is your calling. Your responsibility. Your opportunity.

Do not rest until you become the person you are capable of being.

Serve those you choose with courage, love, and excellence.

In serving with virtue, you honor the Source of all goodness, the Creator from whom every virtue flows.

Act deliberately. Love boldly. Transform relentlessly.

WILL YOU KEEP SPEAKING IN PIDGIN THIS YEAR?

It is a fair question to ask at the start of the year, not to judge, but to reflect. Our words quietly shape who we become and what we believe is possible. Long before change shows up in our actions, it often reveals itself in the way we choose to speak. 

Pidgin is often described as a simplified form of communication that emerges when people with different native languages need to understand one another. It draws vocabulary from a dominant language and blends it with local expressions and structures. Nigerian Pidgin, for example, grew out of contact between English and several indigenous languages and has become widely used as a bridge across social and ethnic lines. It is practical, adaptive, and deeply familiar to many. 

Yet ease should never be confused with elevation or what is ideal. What comes easily is not always what builds us. Because pidgin is a reduced form of a fuller language, it carries within it a quiet corruption of structure, precision, and depth. It is not light. Whatever is not light is heavy, and whatever is heavy eventually drags down. When a person consistently settles for reduced expression, reduced thinking often follows. 

We must remember that speech itself is a sacred gift. The ability to form words is not accidental. It comes from our Creator, and with that gift comes responsibility. We are meant to value what comes to us, not dilute it through carelessness. How we form our words and how we build our sentences are not neutral acts. The words you speak, the sentences you put together, shape the life you live. They are like seeds in the garden you are constantly building around yourself. Every word you say is part of the most important thing you are creating in this world, your own life, your own reality. 

Many people, through careless talk, are quietly building unhealthy environments around themselves. These environments may not be visible to the physical eye, but they are felt. They affect atmosphere, mindset, confidence, and even opportunity. Those who are intuitive sense it immediately. The weight of words lingers. It shapes rooms, relationships, and reputations. 

This is not a call to abandon cultural identity or deny context. There is a place for informality and a place for ease. Wisdom lies in discernment. The danger is when what should be occasional becomes habitual, and what should be situational becomes permanent. When reduced speech becomes the default setting of the mind, growth is subtly resisted. 

So the charge this year is simple and demanding. Be better. Be more deliberate. Be more intentional in all areas of life, and especially in speech. Choose words that lift rather than weigh down. Choose expression that reflects where you are going, not just where you are comfortable. Raise your speech, and you will discover that you have quietly raised the standard of your entire life.

WILL YOU EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR OR ONLY REMEMBER IT LATER?

A new year has barely opened, yet many people are not truly present in it. Some linger in yesterday, while others rush ahead into imagined tomorrows, leaving today quietly unattended.

Here is a truth worth carrying into this year: the real profit of life is not what we remember nor what we anticipate. It is what we actually experience.

If you observe people closely, you will notice a pattern. Many only understand life after it has passed. They value moments only when they become memories. They speak warmly of yesterday or mourn it, yet remain absent from today. Others live perpetually ahead of themselves, postponing life until conditions improve, goals are reached, or circumstances align. Both groups are busy with time, yet rarely alive within it.

To live like this is to spend life without inhabiting it.

Living in the present does not mean reckless pleasure or shallow indulgence. It is not a call to thoughtlessness or escape. It is something far more demanding and far more rewarding. It is the decision to be awake. To receive each hour fully. To allow both joy and sorrow to register deeply within you. To think, reflect, feel, and respond consciously to what is happening now.

Growth does not come from wishing. It comes from experiencing. Maturity is not formed by planning alone or by revisiting the past. It is shaped by what you live through attentively. Every day that you truly experience adds something to you that no memory or fantasy ever can.

Life unfolds in steps. Each day is one such step. You cannot skip it without consequence. You cannot build tomorrow securely without standing firmly today. When you rush past the present in pursuit of distant goals, you weaken the very foundation you need to reach them. The next stage of your life becomes visible only when the current one has been fully lived.

There is quiet wisdom in this. When you commit yourself to the present, your expectations adjust. You stop demanding more from people and from life than they can give. Disappointment loosens its grip. Harmony replaces frustration. You become aligned with your time instead of wrestling against it.

This does not mean forgetting the past or abandoning the future. The past is
a teacher. The future is a source of hope. But the present is the only place where life actually happens. It is the only place where decisions are made, character is formed, and meaning is earned.

As this year stretches before you, resist the urge to rush through it. Do not reduce your days to stepping stones you barely touch. Stand on each one. Feel it. Learn from it. Live it fully. Let today leave its mark on you.

At the end of this year, the question will not be how ambitious your plans were or how vivid your dreams sounded. It will be whether you truly lived your days.

So choose this, starting now. Be here. Be awake. Experience this day deeply. It is not a rehearsal. It is your life.