Rediscovering ChristmasSýnishorn

Mighty God

Mary’s heart swirled. There before her, in her parent’s humble home, stood the angel Gabriel. But it wasn’t just the sight of heaven’s premier messenger that had adrenaline coursing through her young frame; it was what Gabriel had told her: Even though she was still a virgin, she would soon be pregnant. It would be a work of the Holy Spirit—and the child she would bear would be the Son of God (see Luke 1:31–35).

It was so much to take in, all of it outside the realm of possibility for what she had imagined for her life. But then, the angel had said, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (v. 37). That was good enough for Mary, so she laid down her will and her objections there on the dusty floor of that small house in Nazareth. “See, I am the Lord’s servant” (v. 38).

Mary had nine months to get used to the idea that the Messiah she was carrying was somehow also the Lord himself, God in the flesh. She knew the stories of God appearing in human form. He had done so with Abraham (see Genesis 18), Jacob (see Genesis 32:24–32), Joshua (see Joshua 5:13–15), and others. But this was different. The Son of God had stepped out of heaven’s glory and into her womb to be born a human being. He truly was Immanuel or “God with us,” as the prophet Isaiah had said (see Isaiah 7:14).

As is often the case with prophetic revelations, Isaiah’s bold declaration that the Messiah would be called “Mighty God” has more than one layer. On the one hand, biblical names often contained a message. Think Abraham, which means “father of many nations;” God changed Abram’s name to Abraham by way of a grand promise (see Genesis 17:5). So, on one level, Isaiah is saying, “The Messiah will bear this message: ‘God is mighty!’” On another, he’s saying the Messiah will be known as God—and a mighty warrior too!

Throughout the Old Testament, Yahweh is depicted as a warrior, fighting on behalf of his people. For example, Psalm 24:8 says, “Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle” (see also Deuteronomy 7:21; Isaiah 42:13). There is no resisting him. In the end, he will have his way, because no one can stand against him for long.

Though many people picture Jesus as meek rather than mighty, that’s to misunderstand him. While it’s true Jesus didn’t confront the Roman Empire, lead armies into battle, or beat up the bad guys, he wasn’t a pacifist either. You see, Jesus did not come to do battle against human beings, even the wicked and tyrannical; instead, he came to wage war on the spiritual powers of darkness. And that he did with unrelenting fervor!

In the kingdom, power looks a bit different than it does in this world. Paul described it as God’s hidden wisdom and said this about the Lord’s battle strategy: “None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8). In other words, the principalities and powers—the spiritual forces of darkness in this present age—never saw their defeat coming. To their eyes the cross looked like Jesus’ final hour, but in reality it marked theirs. For by Jesus’ death, their claims on this world and on the souls of all who are in Christ were revoked.

When Jesus returns, he will appear as “Mighty God,” ready to put an end to evil once and for all. Those of us who eagerly await his coming might be tempted to wonder why the delay. After all, the powers of darkness seem to be gaining strength with each passing day. But that is not so. The kingdom is still advancing on schedule. And the waiting is not without purpose: “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). It’s all part of our King’s battle plan, for he refuses to leave behind enemy lines anyone who will turn and join him.