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 9:6 (ESV)
Mighty God: The conquering or prevailing God (Isaiah 42:13), the powerful God (Psalm 66:3), the valiant warrior God (Psalm 24:8), the God of strength (Psalm 65:6), the God who rules (Psalm 66:7), the Almighty. These are the descriptions of the child that was born, the son who was given. These are the descriptions of his essential character. When the angel declared, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 ESV), they were declaring that the Savior, who is Christ the Lord, is the Mighty God spoken of by the prophet Isaiah.
Furthermore, the angel who spoke with Joseph concerning Mary’s pregnancy said, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us), (Matthew 1:23 ESV), citing Isaiah 7:14. The Hebrew word used in Immanu(el) in Isaiah 7:14 is the same Hebrew word used for God in Isaiah 9:6. The evidence is clear and overwhelming that the child who was born, Jesus Christ the Lord, was the mighty God in human flesh.
The apostle John declared that the Word was God in the beginning and that the Word became flesh and dwelt among man (John 1:1, 14). Jesus himself declared to the Jews that he was the “I am” before Abraham was alive (John 8:58). “I AM” is the name God used for himself when Moses asked, what name eh should give Israel when they ask who sent him to them (Exodus 3:14). The Jews even recognized that Jesus was claiming to be God and threatened to stone him, not for his works, but for blasphemy (John 10:33). Jesus’ mighty works, however, serve as evidence that he was/is the mighty God.
The mighty works Jesus performed during his ministry were not unlike the mighty works attributed to God in the Old Testament. Jesus healed the sick, as did God (2 Kings 20:5-6; Psalm 147:3). Jesus multiplied food, as does God (Psalms 104:27; 145:15). The storm obeyed Jesus just as it does God (Psalms 89:9; 107:29). Jesus extended forgiveness and worked salvation, as does God (Psalms 130:4; 62:7). Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God, created all things, which Genesis 1:1 attributes to God (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-16; Ephesians 3:9; Psalm 33:6). And which is more, Jesus continues to rule over the creation holding it together by the word of his power, as does God (Colossians 1:17; Psalm 75:3). The writer of Hebrews, speaking of Jesus, penned, He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:3a ESV)
In Revelation 1:8 we read these words, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (ESV) In Revelation 22:12-13 Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (ESV) From beginning to end Jesus is the Almighty God. And believers in Jesus can rest and find strength in his might.
In praying for the Colossian church, the apostle Paul prays for us, May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:11 ESV)
Are you trusting and resting in the Mighty God, Jesus?
Scriptures for meditation:
Matthew 13:54
Revelation 5:12-13