Mighty God

Kelli Baker

Advent Series 2023

Day Nine

In our nation, there is much division among party lines. However, as a Christian, our allegiance should be to God’s kingdom. Where does your allegiance lie? Does your allegiance to our country or to our God drive your interactions?

This week, we continue to wait expectantly for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday on Christmas morning. The prophet Isaiah prophesied of Jesus coming in Isaiah 9:6.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah described four different roles of Jesus. During this advent season, I invite you to slow down and see how Jesus fulfilled each one of these attributes. In week one, we looked at Jesus as Wonderful Counselor. Let’s turn our attention to Jesus as Mighty God.

Mighty God

At the time Isaiah wrote the prophecy of Jesus, the Israelites were under great oppression from the Assyrian government. They needed deliverance from the bondage in which they were under. Isaiah told them Jesus would come as a child and a son, but more importantly that the government would rest on his shoulders.

The Jews expected Jesus to come as a hero like David to overtake the governments that oppressed them. They envisioned the Messiah to be strong in military and political might. As women in the military, we might think of the word “mighty” and see a warrior ready for battle. We may picture a Soldier or a Marine armed with their kevlar donned and their rifle in hand.

However, God does not operate as man does. God’s kingdom looks nothing like the one the Jews knew. It looks nothing like the world we live in today.

Mighty Means More Than Strength

In the Bible, the Hebrew word “gi-bor” is translated as mighty. The English translation does not describe the word in its entirety. Mighty relates to strength or impressive power but in Hebrew it also means “courage, self-sacrifice, and moral excellence.”1 Jesus would not come as a powerful warrior, but rather he courageously came to this earth, lived a life of moral excellence, and died self-sacrificially so we might be in relationship with him. That’s what a Mighty God does.

Gayle Erwin2 describes how God’s government looks different from the governments we have come to know.

“First of all, it would look like its king. Politicians of this day look for what they can get from you. Jesus looks for what He can do for you.

Leaders of this day surround themselves with servants. Jesus surrounds us with His servanthood.

Leaders of this day use their power to build their empire. Jesus uses his power to wash our feet and make us clean and comfortable.

Leaders of this day trade their influence for money. God so loved that he gave…

Generals of this day need regular wars to keep their weapons and skills up to date and insure their own advancement. Jesus brings peace and rest to hearts.

The higher the plane of importance one reaches in this world, the more inaccessible he becomes. Jesus was Emanuel, “God with us.”

Leaders of this day are desperate to be seen and heard. Jesus sought anonymity so He could be useful.

Obviously, Jesus is not in charge of the halls of Washington, London, Moscow, Baghdad, Paris or Bonn. So, how can we ever believe the “government will be upon His shoulders”?

Actually, His government shows its workings in wonderful ways. Whenever I see someone who miraculously leaves a life of drugs or alcohol and is restored to his family and work, I can see that he is now governed by God.

Whenever I see loving Christians gently caring for orphans and those rejected by family, I know I am watching people governed by God.

Whenever I see people eagerly learning the Bible and joyously praising, I know who the governor is.

Whenever I see people give up lucrative careers simply to go and share the Good News of Jesus, I know they are governed by God.

When I see pastors carefully teach and lead the flock God has given them, I know they are getting signals from the great King.

When I see people leave family to live and teach in distant lands because they love the people who have not heard, I know they are governed by God.

So What?

Over the next week we will look at how Jesus is Mighty God. We will dig into his time on earth to see the miracles and wonders that back up the claim that he is Mighty God.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for sending Jesus as Mighty God. Remind us to look to him as our King and conqueror rather than the strength of men. Amen.

References

1. Jesus as Wonderful Counselor, Jesus as Mighty God (lessonsfromhome.co)
2. Erwin, Gayle "The Government" Servant Quarters, January-February 1999 Newsletter, from www.servant.org