Mighty God

What do you think of when you hear the word “mighty”? Do you think of something strong or something powerful? According to Dictionary.com, the definition of mighty means “having, characterized by, or showing superior power or strength” or “of great size” or “great in amount, extent, degree, or importance; exceptional.” 

There are several instances in the Bible of people being called mighty: Nimrod (Genesis 10:8), David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8-39), and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:51), to name a few. The same Hebrew word, gibôr, is used in each instance, and we translate that as “mighty.” All these people mentioned above were great, or mighty, in some capacity—they were skilled, strong, exceptional, or, in the case of Goliath, also of great size. However, there is one person with whom they cannot compete: the God-man—Jesus. 

Isaiah writes about the coming Messiah in chapter nine. He says that the coming Messiah will be born as a baby, He will deliver His people, and He will establish His kingdom. The government will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be called “Mighty God.” This word, gibôr, is the same word used to describe the mighty men listed above. With so many examples of mighty champions and heroes, it must have been exciting to imagine how mighty Messiah would be. But what does it mean for Jesus to be called Mighty God?

When Jesus was born, His arrival was announced by a host of angel armies. The Bible says God’s glory was terrifying (Luke 2:8–15). Certainly, it is a display of mighty heavenly power. But when the shepherds found Jesus laid in a feeding trough for animals, this was not what anyone expected as they anticipated the coming of God’s Mighty One. And yet, they believed. They hoped for what was to come. And they worshipped their Mighty God.

The day he was born was the first time Jesus did something only God can do. He redefined what true might can do, becoming completely humble. Paul says in Philippians 2:6-8, “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Throughout His life, and in God’s timing, Jesus’ ministry was filled with an amazing display of His deity. Jesus showed His superior power through the miracles He performed on earth (i.e., power over nature, healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising people back to life). The Son of God came as a baby, lived a perfect life without sin, died on a cross, was buried but raised from the dead on the third day, conquering death, and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God. These mighty acts show Jesus’ superior power and strength. However, the greatest showing of power and strength is still to come when He defeats Satan forever and sits on the throne as King. 

You see, when Isaiah wrote about our Mighty God, he was not just writing about the first coming of the Messiah but also the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is at the second coming of Jesus when this prophecy Isaiah wrote will come to complete fulfillment.

How does this title, Mighty God, prepare your heart and mind for the Christmas season? We need to stop, celebrate, and reflect on the fact that Jesus came to earth for the first time. If He did not come before, He cannot come again. During this Christmas season, take time to ponder how unexpected God’s ways are. His might and power will always bring Him glory by His ways and His timing. He always keeps His promises. We must also take the time to remember why Jesus came to Earth. He came to bridge the divide between us and God. Jesus came to be the ultimate sacrifice and to shed His blood to cover our sins and wash them white as snow. Even after all of that, we must accept this gift of salvation to then be made right with God. We, too, can believe, hope for what is to come, and worship our Mighty God, just as the shepherds did in the stable the night Jesus was born.

As we watch the news or read the headlines about current events taking place in our world, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus will come back to earth again. He will put an end to the sorrow and pain once and for all as He establishes His kingdom on earth. Jesus will be King, and Jesus will be champion—our Mighty God.

Questions for Thought

• How does your hope for what is to come give comfort to you in your life now?
• How has God revealed His might and power to you in unexpected ways in your own life? Take a moment to give Him praise.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us. Thank You for having a plan that always involved rescuing and redeeming us through the blood of Your Son, Jesus. Lord, when we watch the news or read the headlines, we rejoice in knowing that Jesus, who came as a baby the first time, will come again someday as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will establish His kingdom and sit on His throne as our champion, our hero, our Mighty God. Help us, O God, to find new ways to share the Good News with others this Christmas season. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

This season, ask God to show you ways to understand that He is mighty in a new way. Ask Him to reveal new opportunities to share the Good News and Great Joy with those around you.