The Crippled Lamb

Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

I believe Joshua the Lamb’s biggest problem was not that he was crippled, but that he was lonely. Christmas, for so many people is the loneliest time of the year. And that’s so ironic because we think of Christmas as the time when everybody’s happy.

And the irony of it is that Jesus came to earth, suffered, bled, and died, rose again, reigns on high, that we might never ever be lonely again. “And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” I want to share with you some good news on how to be healed from your loneliness.

I. The Affliction of Loneliness:

a. Joshua may have been crippled, but his greatest affliction was loneliness. Some of the most popular, most famous people in history have taken their own lives because of loneliness. You can be a Christian and be lonely if you’re not in proper fellowship with God. Psalm 25:16 says, “I am [lonely] and afflicted.”

II. The Reason for Loneliness: Why are people lonely?

a. When God made us, when God created us, He gave us three basic emotional needs: We need someone to love. We need to be understood. We also need to be needed. And yet, despite these three emotional needs, it seems like everything works against that and so many people never have these needs met.

b. Another thing that can cause loneliness is sin and selfishness. Some people are so wrapped up in themselves that they are lonely. And many sit around waiting for someone to befriend them, when the Bible says, “He who would have friends must first show himself friendly.” (Proverbs 18:24)

III. The Remedy for Loneliness:

a. “They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Christ Alone is the remedy for being alone. I believe the loneliest person who ever walked the Earth was this man named Jesus of Nazareth.

b. All those Old Testament ceremonies, sacrifices, ordinances, and celebrations were about the Lord Jesus Christ. Imagine the loneliness of Jesus standing on the edge of the celebration and multitudes going through their rituals and sacrifices, and knowing it was all about Him, and yet they did not know Him. He came to take our loneliness from us by suffering it for us in our place. And so, the remedy for loneliness is Emmanuel, Who is, God with us.

IV. Jesus Meets Our Needs:

a. Remember man’s three basic emotional needs? Man needs someone to love. That’s Jesus. Man needs someone who understands. That’s Jesus. (Psalm 139:1) He knows and understands. And lastly, He values you. He desires you.

b. Little Joshua the lamb thought he was destined to be lonely, but discovered he was destined instead to meet Jesus. There’s someone Who wants you very much this Christmas, and if you’ll turn to Him, you need never be lonely again.