Achaz and Mary.

King Ahaz of Judah and Mary, a poor girl from Nazareth, are separated by seven centuries, but they have something in common: both come from the dynasty of David, are heirs to God’s great promises, and must pass the test of faith and courage. King Ahaz of Judah had fallen away from God and even sacrificed his son to Moloch by burning him (2 Kings 16:3). When the armies of Syria and Ephraim invaded Judah to dethrone him, the frightened king sent a message to Tiglath-Pileser, the powerful ruler of Assyria. He handed over the treasures of the Jerusalem temple with a request that sounded like a blasphemous prayer: “I am your servant and your son. Come and save me … ”(2 Kings 16:7).

The prophet Isaiah wants to encourage Ahaz in faith, so he tells him: “Ask a sign from the Lord your God. Ask him whether in the depths of the underworld or on high.” I will not tempt the Lord, was Ahaz’s diplomatic excuse. The king does not want to listen to God. Nevertheless, the prophet announces to him: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and call his name Immanuel. God’s faithfulness surpasses his unfaithfulness, and he receives a sign. The house of David will not fall. It is fulfilled: “If we are faithless, God remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2:13).

This sign has two meanings.

The first was fulfilled with the birth of Ahaz’s son Hezekiah. For the Jews, Hezekiah became a messianic figure, a symbol of God’s affection for his people—and a call for the people to be faithful to God. This prophecy of Isaiah also foreshadows Jesus Christ, God’s Messiah. He was born of a virgin and was called Immanuel, “God with us.” He came to save people from something more significant than conquerors. He came to free us from sin and death.

Seven centuries later, the Virgin Mary is expecting a child, although she has not yet lived with her husband, Joseph, and they have not entered a relationship. Unlike Ahaz, Mary has received a sign. She answered not to a prophet but an angel: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” God has fully fulfilled what he promised. And he continues to fulfill the sign. Jesus assured us that he would be with us always, until the end of time, and through the Eucharist, he fulfilled his promise (Mt 28:20). He is faithful, always “God with us.”