CELEBRATING CHRIST – MIGHTY GOD

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” – John 1: 1

Beloved, join me to CELEBRATE CHRIST – the MIGHTY GOD: “For unto us a Child is born … and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, MIGHTY GOD… (Isa.9:6). The name “Mighty God” is the compound Hebrew title El Gibbor. The first part of the title – “God” – is El, the singular form of the word Elohim. In the Old Testament this referred to the one true God, but was on rare occasions used of mighty heroes or even false gods. The Christ who walked on water, raised Lazarus from death, died for our sins, and physically rose from the dead is the One who also said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (Jh. 8:58). He is the One of John wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made (Jh. 1:1-3).

The other part of the name – “Mighty” – is Gibbor, meaning “strength, power, hero.” In a world where heroes are often determined by physical prowess, stardom, personal talent, or financial power, the only One truly worthy to be called “Hero” is the One whose might is unmatched. El Gibbor is our true Hero. What Isaiah anticipated, the New Testament confirms. What was amazing to Isaiah was that the Messiah would not only have the power of God, He would be the God of power!

Ample evidence abounds that Jesus Christ is the “Mighty God”! In many cases He was acknowledged as the long-awaited Messiah. Nicodemus, a rabbi of Israel, recognized Him as God-sent (Jh.3:2). The disciples recognized Him as Messiah. On an occasion, they marvelled, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Mt.8:27). Simon Peter was unequivocal: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt. 16:16). Mary Magdalene recognized Him and her life was transformed (Mk.16:9; Jh.20:18). The lives of many others were changed, including the church’s most dreaded persecutor, Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-20). These and thousands of other first-century people believed in Christ as Lord and God!

Jesus as the Mighty God demonstrated power over nature (Lk.5:1-11); over disease (Mt.9:18-26); over demons (Lk.8:26-39); over sin (Mk.2:3-12), and over death (1Cor.15:1-19). He revealed His divine might in undeniable ways: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, an signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know” (Acts 2:22). Paul calls Jesus “the Son of God with power” (Rom. 1:4) and “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor.1:24).

While appreciating the evidence of Christ as the Mighty God, we must acknowledge its significance to us as believers today:

He is the Source of our power. Jesus promised to send the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be His representatives in the world (Acts 1:8). Inherent to this provision of the Spirit is the fact that He wants us to live distinctive lives in an impure world as evidence of His presence in us.

He is the strength of our lives. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13). Christ strengthens us for all the situations and inevitabilities of life. No matter what comes, we can always endure and overcome triumphantly as we rest in His power, not in our own.

He secures our eternity. We are “kept by the power of God” (1 Pet.1:5). Nothing can overcome His power to keep us in Christ. What a great assurance it is to know that we are secure not because of our own ability to hold on to Him, but by His power holding on to us.

Jehovah is certainly “Almighty,” but He is also rightly called “mighty” by the prophets. Jesus is the “mighty God” upon whom we are to call – our Eternal Saviour. Based on the overwhelming evidence, I celebrate my Lord Jesus Christ as the Mighty God, El Gibbor!