In today’s episode, we shift from the communal nature of the Church to the deeply personal question: How does one become a part of the body of Christ? Drawing from the intimate conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3, we encounter the foundational truth that entry into God’s kingdom requires being “born again.” This spiritual rebirth isn’t about self-improvement or religious effort—it’s a radical transformation initiated by the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes it clear that seeing or entering the kingdom of God begins not with status or good works, but with a spiritual new beginning, available to all who believe.

This new birth changes everything. It reshapes our identity, our desires, and our direction. The Apostle Paul captures it succinctly: “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.” Being born again is not a momentary emotional experience but the beginning of a lifelong journey of renewal. It’s not about perfection but about progress—daily surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit and aligning our lives with God's purposes. This transformation isn’t just internal; it manifests in how we live, love, and serve, and it humbles us to extend grace to others also in need of renewal.

In the “Let’s Get Deep” section, we explore the paradox at the heart of Jesus’ teaching: the kingdom of God is radically inclusive—open to everyone—yet requires a singular, specific entry point: spiritual rebirth. No one gets in through power, intellect, or pedigree. Only by surrendering and receiving God’s gift of grace can one begin anew. This reality is both confronting and liberating. It levels the playing field, invites us to reflect on our own transformation, and calls us to live out this new identity daily. Ultimately, it reminds us that Jesus didn’t just come to inform or inspire us—He came to re-create us.

In a new chapter of the 10:10 with Jesus series, we move from the deeply personal promise of Emmanuel—God with us to a broader, communal truth: God is not just with individuals, but with the Church. Jesus’ incarnation showed us divine presence through solidarity with the suffering and marginalized, and that same presence is now meant to be visible through the Church. But in today’s world, marked by division, political tribalism, and widespread loneliness, the Church can often seem irrelevant, or worse, complicit in the fragmentation. Yet the calling remains: the Church is to be a living, breathing sign that God is still with us—not just in word or doctrine, but in tangible acts of unity, compassion, and love.

Looking to the early Church in Acts 2, we’re reminded that Christian community was not built around buildings or programming, but around a radically shared life. The first believers met in homes, shared meals, held possessions in common, and praised God with sincere hearts. This unity, rooted in love and generosity, stood out in a divided world—and drew people to Christ daily. Jesus affirmed this in John 13:35: the mark of discipleship is not theological precision or public performance, but love for one another. Communion itself is a vivid sign of this unity, reminding us not only of Christ’s sacrifice, but also of our oneness as His body—a holy act of remembrance and a present experience of divine togetherness.

Ultimately, the Church’s purpose is not merely to gather but to be sent—to extend God’s presence outward in mission, compassion, and justice. Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and His words in Matthew 25:40 remind us that when we serve the “least of these,” we serve Christ Himself. The Church is a paradox: a flawed yet grace-filled community meant to represent Christ in the world. This means reclaiming the “one another” commands—loving, forgiving, bearing burdens—and seeing ourselves as ambassadors of a Kingdom not of this world. In doing so, we don’t just talk about God’s presence; we become the way the world encounters Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, or "God with us," is the central and enduring truth of the Christian faith, going far beyond a mere Christmas doctrine. This divine presence is a sacred gift, one that God has demonstrated throughout history—from walking with Adam and Eve in Eden to traveling with Israel in the wilderness. However, this longing for connection took on flesh and bone in Jesus, who was God Himself "moving into the neighborhood." This act of Incarnation represents divine solidarity, where God chose to enter our human experience to be with the forgotten, the suffering, and the searching.

Jesus's ministry showed that God is not distant but profoundly near. By entering into the lives of the marginalized and suffering, Jesus revealed God's proximity and compassion. The passage emphasizes that this presence is not just historical; it continues today through the Holy Spirit. This spiritual reality demands a response from us: we are called to abide in him, to be present with others in the same way he was, and to become God's presence in the world. Our lives should be a reflection of his with-ness, bringing his comfort and peace to those around us.

Ultimately, the name Emmanuel reveals God's eternal commitment and redemptive mission. Jesus didn't just visit humanity; he forever bound himself to it, even in his resurrection. His presence leads to reconciliation, inviting us back into a relationship with God. Therefore, the truth of "God with us" should transform every aspect of our lives, giving us peace, courage, and the assurance that we are never alone. The central question for believers is not just whether God is with us but whether we are willing to be with him.